Bach and Tuning

Bach and Tuning is strictly concerned with the identification of a historically accurate tuning paradigm that applies to the great majority of Johann Sebastian Bach's music. Once Bach has his personal tuning aesthetic acknowledged, a new dimension of meaning is invoked in performance through the intended interplay of diverse musical intervals. This new narrative lays bare Bach's mental calculations regarding his idealized intonation. Bach, the true chromatic composer of the Baroque, was the scion of a great music family. Likewise, Andreas Werckmeister was the bright star in a neighboring musical family, only a generation earlier. Bach and Tuning connects the valuable tuning contribution made by Werckmeister to Bach's musical masterpieces.

Autorentext

Johnny Reinhard directs the American Festival of Microtonal Music (since 1981) in NYC. He is a virtuoso bassoonist and tuning specialist. He realized & conducted the Charles Ives "Universe Symphony" in Lincoln Center in 1996.

Inhalt

The Bach family phenomenon - Microtonal analysis - New spotlight on Buxtehude, Walther, Kirnberger, and Werckmeister - Exploring Thuringian cities - Cultural norms lived by Bach - Elizabeth Hehr's translation of Werckmeister's Musicalische Temperatur (1691)