Do You Think Old Stuffy JS Bach Would Have Approved Of Vanessa Mae?

Question

And her interpretation of the great Toccata & Fugue?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8Fa_EUQqY

Or better yet, this MTM type video of the same Toccata & Fugue?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euOu89d3npA

Yeah, yeah, I know the video is a little over the top but I thought I would throw it in here for a laugh.

Answer 1

I think Bach would have had a very good laugh and said, "Can you introduce that petite missy to me? Let's see if she can play this melody I have in my head..."



Any composer would have been very happy to see his work performed by such a talented person, and here we have a woman. Male performers ruled the day Bach was alive, and females were often ignored in the musical world. Heck, they even had castratos to play female roles back then.



And yes, he would love her.

Answer 2

My goodness. I couldn't make it through this thing. I'm sorry, but I really did try. The intonation between the organ and the violin was appalling, and painful at points. I also have limited patience for this idea of adding a backbeat to a piece of music, and assuming that gives it added appeal to a different audience. This is still absolutely uninspired playing. The girl has chops, I'll give her that. But she doesn't know what to do with them.



I can't even imagine how terrible this must have been for the members of the orchestra or the conductor. Man oh man.

Answer 3

I agree that Bach knew what he was doing and doesn't need anyone else's help.



One argument in favor of mongrelized arrangements is that they render classical music more palatable to the musically uneducated masses.



But I sometimes question that they even do that much. I read about a musically uneducated person who happened to hear several commercialized arrangements of the Tchaikovsky piano concerto. Finally, he happened to hear a recording of the concerto the way the composer wanted it. He said, "Gosh! That's the best arrangement of that song I've heard yet!"



However, Bach might be surprised to see that he is still remembered 300 years later. During his lifetime, he was well respected, but nowhere near as widely known as Handel.



One employer had to hire Bach because they couldn't get George Philipp Telemann to work for them. Today, the average person on the street would frown and say, "George Philipp who?"

Answer 4

I recall reading that the Toccata and Fugue in D minor was originally a solo violin work which Bach arranged for organ - so perhaps ol' JS might not have minded.



And given his proclivities, perhaps he would have been happy to discuss matters with VM in his organ loft...

Answer 5

Well---------------------what people want do with a dead man's music, or any piece of music no longer under copyright.



What impressed me most about the first video, is the marvelous acoustics: breath-taking. this particular "variation on a theme"? ???????



The second: a typical current mode of "fast moving"(mind anesthetizing) boxed for the unthinking, non-serious "classical" music consumer, commercial product: could only watch the first minute or so.



But, "hey", if such in any way might serve to awaken a genuine interest in real "classical" music in our "pop" culture, can't be all bad!!!



Alberich

Answer 6

Sukwahak got it right -the biggest surprise for JS would be that he is still known at all. If it hadn't been for Mendelssohn, he could be remembered only as "JC and CPE's dad".



As for the arrangement, it didn't suck. The biggest issue is how to replicate the monster range of the organ with a "puny fiddle" (that's Beethoven talk) and I'm not sure how much she succeeded. Still, can't help thinking most people listens to her simply because she looks hot (to some extent).

Answer 7

I don't think your premise is right ... I don't believe that Johann was "old and stuffy" much of his work is light an lively.





... and there's argument over the authenticity of BWV 565 anyway. He might be more concerned about attributing the score properly if he didn't write it.

Answer 8

Before I answer -- "Hat's Off" to so Many Great Answers !! 1. I like that someone established that you're probably referring to Composer's more than Musicians -- Not a lot of names are well-known of the Better Musicians from that Time. 2. ...and actually All (or Most) Composers DID "technically" start out as Musicians (think about it) 3. Sometimes People refer to all Baroque, Classical, Romantic/Impressionist, & Modern -- as CLASSICAL. I like how one person "Broke-Out" the Composers into these Categories. 4. Beethoven was the most Popular "BRIDGE" between the Classial Sub-Genre and the Romantic -- ONLY his 1st Symphony is "Classical" -- Everything after wards is "Romantic" 5. I saw STRAUSS, listed, but not specified which one -- Most Likely the Great "Waltz King" Johann Strauss(sp?) -- as their were 3 significant Bach's - But, of course, it was J.S. Bach, that I'm sure was referred to. 6. I was So Happy to see Richard Strauss !! -- who was at the beginning of the "Modern" Period. 7. "WOW" to the person who mentioned "Scarlatti." He was not as "Popular" as the Rest -- but a true Genius. I was IMPRESSED by this Selection (I know... who the Heck am I ??:)) But, thanks for mentioning Him. :) As there are MANY lesser known definitely -- who were Just as Great. The Composer in the "Amadeus" Movie, "Antonio Salieri" -- was definitely NO Mozart !!! -- However - His music is Excellent and the movie "dumbified" him, unfairly. -- Everyone was probably Jealous of Mozart -- The Prolific Genius in Classical Music. SO -- That does not leave me Many, since everyone pretty much covered my Favorites. Just One -- To Me, the Greatest Russian Composer is the lesser-known, Alexander Scriabin. A True Genius - and a HUGE influence to Prokofiev & Stravinsky. At the Time -- Russia (or was it the Soviets, then?) -- Required ALL Music be of a certain "National" (and Boring) Style. Scriabin was a "group" of Russian Composers who said "FIE!!" in the Face of This -- and Wrote Amazing Music, that the "State" was shocked at. ...and Paul Hindemith (from the Modern) -- who wrote Incredible Sonatas for Piano & Brass !! Cool Question -- Thank You :) R&P "Knows Its Music" !! :)) .

Answer 9

I don't think he would have approved,in fact, he probably turned in his grave, but she is extremely talented, and like her or not, she has made violin playing more accessible to a younger audience.

Answer 10

Rachel does not know what Bach would have thought, but she does not approve as she dislikes theatrics in music.