Customer Reviews

Bach: A Musical Offering BWV 1079 133/ Canons BMV 1072-78

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"A Musical Offering" is the name of an early morning radio program here in the Bay Area [KPFA], on which Mary Berg blesses those who listen each Sunday with beautifully chosen Bachian music. She played this CD last week and I went out and bought it. I've listened thrice now, and each time it brings a smile to my face.

I'm no classical officianado, and admit to a preference for the lyrical and melodic over the dramatic and intense. This group of what would, in today's parlance, probably be thought of as "tunes", god forbid, was co-created by Bach with the recipient of his offering, king Frederick II of Prussia, himself a composer and flutist. Bach's son, CPE, was an employed musician in Frederick's court, and was asked by his boss to get his father, "old Bach", to come and play with the king's "band". Bach appeared after a long day's journey, mostly as a kindness to his son, and this music grew from a collaboration between Frederick and Bach.

I like the story and love the music, which offers up a delightful strand of seemingly disconnected melodies landing in my ears as a bounty of joyful whimsy, cast amongst flute, harpsichord/piano, violin, viola de gambo and cello, in spritely contrapunctual Bachian style. The sound quality and instrumentalists are, to my unpolished ear, stunningly sharp and clear.

I'm not sure I understand where the "Canons on the first eight notes of the aria from the Goldberg Variations" fit in to this sweet gem, but to say they seem simply an extension of the lovely, if shortish, pieces which come before. Probably I love this CD because Goldberg Variations are one of my very favorite Bach creations, having been introduced to them from a front-row folding chair in St. Chapelle, Paris.

May these musical offerings of Bach bring you the tickling merriment they brought to me, so pleasant, in fact, that I was inspired to write this first ever music review. Enjoy.

This CD is a true gem. Where else can one find a collection of canons from those in the Musical offering to the obscure dedication canons Bach wrote for his friends to the 14 canons on the first eight notes of the Goldberg ground? This is the only such collection I know of. The playing is superb throughout and the recorded sound brings the ensemble into your living room. For those interested in canon this is a polished diamond.