Guest
In December last year, just before Christmas, I recorded seven special pieces by Bach. Compositions that move me, but which Bach did not write for piano. I really wanted to play these pieces myself. Without adding notes, with the utmost respect for the original “Bach notes” I made it into a piano transcription. “Ich ruf zu dir” was not originally written by Bach (it was an existing Lutheran chorale melody), but was arranged by him for organ. And how! He stretches the chorale melody by subscribing a middle voice of semiquavers, which together with the bass notes form genius harmonies. It is often played in an arrangement by Busoni, but here I am playing the original organ score on piano. Why does this piece touch me so much? Because of the melody and harmony, but also because of the continuous movement in it. As with all masterpieces there is something transcendent in them; the music evokes emotion. Tears run down your cheeks, of sadness and of happiness. Bach comforts me. And that's what we need now; a lot of artists are allowed to get back to work, but a lot are not yet. It is very difficult not to be able to do for a long time what you love to do most, that which brings you happiness and comfort. And especially that, which gives you a lot of energy. Camera/editing: Edwin Vermeulen Production/Sound: Reyer Zwart and Frans Hagenaars Light: Mikey and Marco driessen Thanks to the Concert Hall Tilburg
