Richard Knisely

Some people assert that Bach was the greatest of all geniuses. Others compare him to Shakespeare in literature. Fortunately, there is no objective scale by which the most gifted humans can be weighed against each other. We do know that the most celebrated genius of the 20th century, Albert Einstein, was in awe of Bach. What qualities would position this largely provincial organist and composer at the top of the list of our most revered minds?
 
This class is designed to guide you into the reaches of Bach’s achievement lying  beneath the beautiful melodies and rich harmonies that form the immediate experience of his music. These, in themselves, have charmed and inspired people of all nationalities and races, despite differences in cultural and musical roots and experiences.
 
I intend to  illuminate what’s under that brilliant surface, what heights--equally intellectual and affective--Bach could scale that have left musicians and non-musicians alike to admire his music above all others.
 
The emphasis will be on the music. We will listen to as many of his greatest creations as we can during our time together and dig into them to discover how they achieve their greatness.  I will present what is essental  to know about his life. We will peer a little into the complex and constraining art of counterpoint, and how he transcended its limitations without discarding its priciples, singularly manifesting its profoundest expression. No composer before or since has been able to equal his achievements in countrapuntal art.
 
There will be time in each class for questions and discussion.
 
Things you will need:
 

• A basic ability to read music, just enough to follow examples and follow what you hear. Musical examples will be used in every class. All examples will be in simple piano score form.
   

• A good quality pair of headphones intended for listening to music, or, at least, a very high quality pair of earbuds, NOT your standard airline issue! This is essential so you can hear the inner workings of mutilayered compositions.