I've really enjoyed your Year of Bach, never sure if I was there primarily for the music... or for your writing (probably came for the former, stayed for the latter).
Really hope your wife gets better. Virtual hug from afar.
Thank you, for all you said and for all you didn't say. The spareness of your prose is it's beauty. At a similar point in my own life, I am grateful for the depth of your midlife musings - a depth not only of your own introspection, but also of our common humanity represented here by Bach's music. It's been a real pleasure reading and listening with you this year. Peace be with you.
Thank you for sharing this post, and for the Year of Bach. May your wife have a speedy and complete recovery.
This blog has been very impactful for me. In late middle age, life had begun to feel stale and unsatisfying. Your posts have helped me regain some of my earlier enthusiasm, listening to these pieces with a fresh and more attentive ear. I've felt the Chaconne to be the pinnacle of music since I first heard it around age 12. Listening to it never fails to bring chills of awe, and tears of sadness. What a wonderful way to end the series.
Thank you for this project, and for sharing your personal story in this moving and intense last chapter. I enjoy the Busoni transcription of the Chaconne for piano, but I had forgotten the intimate intensity that Perlman brings to the original - it tears at the heart. And the Milosz elegy was new to me, and balm for the soul. Many thanks.
Beautiful! I'm so sorry to hear about your wife but glad she is on the mend. You've sent me back to the Chaconne, in all its magnificence and tenderness. I'd be interested to hear about why you chose Perlman for this post and if there are other recordings you love (Perlman seemed to go out of fashion for a long time, didn't he? He's so back!).
Thanks Ian! It's been a tough stretch for our family, but my wife's feeling a little stronger every day, which is great.
I should probably write a follow up with other Chaconne's... Perlman is so emotionally direct but nowhere near sentimental. That was the tone I was going for in my writing too, so it felt like the right choice here.
My first exposure to the piece was Segovia on guitar -- still a benchmark performance. Then I listened to everyone else on guitar... I also love the takes from the great Englishman Julian Bream, and the Scottish/Spaniard David Russell.
I never really connected to the Brahms adaptation for left hand piano, and I think the Busoni is cool, but too big.
On violin, it's worth checking out the hyper-articulate Henryk Szeryng, and one I got turned onto a few weeks ago, an intimate recording by Arnold Steinhardt of the Guarneri Quartet.
What moving writing about music you have created, which can be so hard to capture in words. I wish you the best of luck in your journey with your beloved.
Thanks for a fanstastic year! I listened to Bach and all music differently because of your hard work. Thanks for taking me along with you on a touching musical path.
Evan, this is now one of my favorite pieces of writing about music. I'm sure I will return to it many times.
I've struggled to explain to people what it's like to play the Chaconne (on guitar for me). I've sometimes said "it's like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon," which kind of gets it. Now I know what I'll say: it's like living a whole life in less than 20 minutes. Everything you could experience is there and it's all tied together with love.
Yeah, there's something different and amazing about this piece, it keeps revealing more. I'm not anywhere up to speed, but I loved playing through Segovia's arrangement for guitar.
Powerful writing about some deep, trying times, Evan! When I requested closing thoughts regarding your year of Bach, I certainly wasn't expecting this. Glad to hear your wife is recovering; such a terrifying trial you've both faced.
Regarding your year-long project, I came for the music and stayed for your witty, insightful writing. Thank you for taking the time to illuminate so much stunning music. Well done, sir. I'd love to read further musings wherever you might post them, if that's in the cards!
All the best to you and your family. May 2025 bring brighter times and more music. Good luck with your personal piano journey as well!
Bravo! Although I joined you very late in this process, I have enjoyed every bit of it. I'll be thinking of you and your wife, and wishing you both all the best. The word that comes to me the most listening to the Perlman version is "raw", and I mean that in the best way.
Best wishes and prayers to your wife and children. This is a beautifully written and felt homage to the music that speaks to us so powerfully. Liked your guitar piece too, and am looking forward to what comes next, thanks.
What a powerful and tender end to a scholarly and vivacious year of music history and critique.
Memories of your mother — and now, my step-mother — will intertwine and permanently change the way I listen to the Chaconne.
I’d be super worried for L. if I didn’t know her fierce and indomitable spirit so well. (Kick ass, L.!) Your partnership is inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your brilliance with the rest of us, Evan. It’s a gift.
Thanks for this, DK! It's been a heck of a time.
I've really enjoyed your Year of Bach, never sure if I was there primarily for the music... or for your writing (probably came for the former, stayed for the latter).
Really hope your wife gets better. Virtual hug from afar.
Thank you for nice words here, and for the support all year, Paco!
Thank you, for all you said and for all you didn't say. The spareness of your prose is it's beauty. At a similar point in my own life, I am grateful for the depth of your midlife musings - a depth not only of your own introspection, but also of our common humanity represented here by Bach's music. It's been a real pleasure reading and listening with you this year. Peace be with you.
Thanks so much, Alden.
Thank you for sharing this post, and for the Year of Bach. May your wife have a speedy and complete recovery.
This blog has been very impactful for me. In late middle age, life had begun to feel stale and unsatisfying. Your posts have helped me regain some of my earlier enthusiasm, listening to these pieces with a fresh and more attentive ear. I've felt the Chaconne to be the pinnacle of music since I first heard it around age 12. Listening to it never fails to bring chills of awe, and tears of sadness. What a wonderful way to end the series.
This is really meaningful for me to read -- thanks, Will, and wishing you all the best, too.
Thank you for this project, and for sharing your personal story in this moving and intense last chapter. I enjoy the Busoni transcription of the Chaconne for piano, but I had forgotten the intimate intensity that Perlman brings to the original - it tears at the heart. And the Milosz elegy was new to me, and balm for the soul. Many thanks.
You're welcome, and thanks for coming along for the ride.
Henry Oliver just pointed me to the big Helene Grimaud version of the Busoni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOHiI_5yycU
Yes, my favorite piano version too
Congratulations!
Thanks my boy.
Beautiful! I'm so sorry to hear about your wife but glad she is on the mend. You've sent me back to the Chaconne, in all its magnificence and tenderness. I'd be interested to hear about why you chose Perlman for this post and if there are other recordings you love (Perlman seemed to go out of fashion for a long time, didn't he? He's so back!).
Thanks Ian! It's been a tough stretch for our family, but my wife's feeling a little stronger every day, which is great.
I should probably write a follow up with other Chaconne's... Perlman is so emotionally direct but nowhere near sentimental. That was the tone I was going for in my writing too, so it felt like the right choice here.
My first exposure to the piece was Segovia on guitar -- still a benchmark performance. Then I listened to everyone else on guitar... I also love the takes from the great Englishman Julian Bream, and the Scottish/Spaniard David Russell.
I never really connected to the Brahms adaptation for left hand piano, and I think the Busoni is cool, but too big.
On violin, it's worth checking out the hyper-articulate Henryk Szeryng, and one I got turned onto a few weeks ago, an intimate recording by Arnold Steinhardt of the Guarneri Quartet.
If I may recommend Rafaella Smith on guitar if you don't know it. It stops time.
That would be new to me, I will check it out.
Nice take from Smits! If you like that one best, I think you may also be into Paul Galbraith's ruminative version on 8-string guitar.
What moving writing about music you have created, which can be so hard to capture in words. I wish you the best of luck in your journey with your beloved.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for a fanstastic year! I listened to Bach and all music differently because of your hard work. Thanks for taking me along with you on a touching musical path.
Awesome - that was my goal with this. There's so much to listen to, still.
Evan, this is now one of my favorite pieces of writing about music. I'm sure I will return to it many times.
I've struggled to explain to people what it's like to play the Chaconne (on guitar for me). I've sometimes said "it's like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon," which kind of gets it. Now I know what I'll say: it's like living a whole life in less than 20 minutes. Everything you could experience is there and it's all tied together with love.
Congratulations on a wonderful project this year!
Wow - thank you for this, Isaac, it's very kind.
Yeah, there's something different and amazing about this piece, it keeps revealing more. I'm not anywhere up to speed, but I loved playing through Segovia's arrangement for guitar.
Powerful writing about some deep, trying times, Evan! When I requested closing thoughts regarding your year of Bach, I certainly wasn't expecting this. Glad to hear your wife is recovering; such a terrifying trial you've both faced.
Regarding your year-long project, I came for the music and stayed for your witty, insightful writing. Thank you for taking the time to illuminate so much stunning music. Well done, sir. I'd love to read further musings wherever you might post them, if that's in the cards!
All the best to you and your family. May 2025 bring brighter times and more music. Good luck with your personal piano journey as well!
Thanks so much for this and for your support throughout the year, Dakota! I'll have some more takeaways in the next week or two.
Well played, sir!
Bravo! Although I joined you very late in this process, I have enjoyed every bit of it. I'll be thinking of you and your wife, and wishing you both all the best. The word that comes to me the most listening to the Perlman version is "raw", and I mean that in the best way.
Thank you Susan — it’s been a pleasure.
Thank you.
Best wishes and prayers to your wife and children. This is a beautifully written and felt homage to the music that speaks to us so powerfully. Liked your guitar piece too, and am looking forward to what comes next, thanks.
Thanks for your support David!
Beautiful. I can’t wait for what’s next. Thank you, Evan.