D is for Double Violin Concerto in D Minor

 

              I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my theme this year is classical music. Check out the list of other participants by clicking here! I’m doing something a little bit different with the letter D today. D is for Double Violin Concerto in D Minor, which was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. This is part of the reason that my theme isn’t called “classical composers.” I wanted to use multiple composers with some of the same initials, there are too many good B’s :) The Double Violin Concerto in D Minor also happens to be my favorite piece from J. S. Bach that I have heard so far. The featured video today is an excerpt from the first movement and instead of double violins, they are using double cellos, and the music sounds just as lovely.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/eNQt3hL1Kis

 

 

• Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician who lived from 1685 to 1750.
• J. S. Bach had many musicians in his family, and he himself played the violin, harpsichord, clavichord, and organ.
• At the age of 10, J. S. Bach moved in with his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach, after his parents died.
• Four of his sons, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Johann Christoph Friedrich, and Johann Christian are known composers.
• He has a large repertoire of work; some of his well-known pieces include the Brandenburg Concertos, Ave Maria, the Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, and Das Wohltemperirte Clavier  (The Well-Tempered Clavier).
• He has a secular cantata, referred to as the Coffee Cantata, that comically tells of an addiction to coffee.
• He once challenged harpsichordist, Louis Marchand, to a keyboard duel, but Marchand chickened out and fled the day of the duel.
• Once when trying to quit one of his organist positions, his employer was so determined to keep him that Bach was placed in detention (jailed) for one month, then unfavorably discharged.

Sources: http://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/guides/bach-facts/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach





Organ that Bach played in Arnstadt

              Answer to yesterday's trivia question: Where did Garrick Ohlsson play for Chopin's 200th birthday? Garrick Ohlsson played on a piano once owned by Chopin at Chopin's childhood home in Poland. I heard about in on my favorite radio program, Performance Today, hosted by Fred Child.

              For this challenge, I’m keeping a playlist of the videos I’m using plus some extras for anyone who wants to hear more. I will update with the latest letter each day. Today's extra video is a short and sweet. Two talented women are playing part of the Toccata & Fugue in D minor on FAO Schwartz's large piano.


 

 

We know that Beethoven struggled with his hearing, what did J.S. Bach have struggles with? Do you have a favorite piece from Bach? Is it in the key of D minor? :)