Bach’s music turns up everywhere from cigar ads to horror films. You can probably hum bits of Bach even if you’re not a classical fan. But what makes his music so popular and why is he still so influential 300 years on? To celebrate The Bach Choir’s 150th Anniversary, we’ve made three special episodes all about Bach and his best-known compositions.

This time our host and Musical Director, David Hill, is joined by BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens to talk about six of Bach’s most famous pieces. Along the way they tackle musical taboos (why can’t most classical musicians improvise?), classical music wrangles (did Bach actually write the Toccata and Fugue?), and great stories (why did Bach once threaten a bassoonist with a sword?). Plus, we hear from some of our friends - including superstar organist and broadcaster Anna Lapwood - about their favourite Bach pieces.

Want to see the video version of this podcast? Watch here on YouTube – https://youtu.be/etxZzSAo-6Q

Chapters

Introduction - 0.00

Linton’s favourite Bach piece - 4.09

Bach’s beginnings (Toccata and Fugue in D minor) - 5.35

A melody that transcends time (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) - 12.24

The essence of Bach, and of music itself (Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major) - 17.40

Why can’t classical musicians improvise anymore? (Brandenburg Concertos) - 24.02

The father of harmony (Well-Tempered Clavier) - 28.44

A painting with just two colours (Air on a G String) - 32.46

Anna Lapwood’s favourite Bach works - 37.35

Bach’s legacy - 38.32

If you'd like to hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, our newsletter is the answer. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers. Sign up here to have that full concert video sent to your email address – https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/

Linton’s podcast So, Hear Me Out, which he presents with Gillian Moore for Southbank Centre, is also all about getting more people into classical music. You can listen or watch it here – https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/so-hear-me-out/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

The series producer is Jayne Morgan.

Video by Joe Garvey.

Pieces in this podcast (in order)

JS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565

Performed by Kevin MacLeod

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’)

Performed by The Bach Choir (choir and piano version)

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Performed by Orchestra Ali Armonici (orchestral version)

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Performed by Michel Rondeau and Aline Letendre (organ and trumpet version)

JS Bach – Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (‘Air on a G String’)

Performed by Philip Milman

JS Bach – Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043

Performed by the Advent Chamber Orchestra with David Parry and Roxana Pavel Goldstein

JS Bach – Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846 (‘Well-Tempered Clavier’)

By Audio Library

JS Bach – Goldberg Variations, No. 25, BWV 988

Performed by Shelley Katz

JS Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (‘Air on a G String’)

Music provided by Classical Music Copyright Free

JS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 (‘Dorian Toccata’)

Performed by Jarle Fagerheim

JS Bach – Concerto in G Major, BWV 1048 (‘Brandenburg Concertos’)

Performed by Advent Chamber Orchestra

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The Hallelujah Chorus is probably the world's most famous choral piece. Classically-trained singer turned successful comedian, Lloyd Griffith, joined us to talk about why this one part of Handel’s Messiah become so well-known, why he includes singing in his stand-up routines and why audiences can't believe their ears when he does. Here's his full interview with MD, David Hill.

Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-ep-5/

Read all about Lloyd's forthcoming tour - Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll - here https://lloydgriffith.com/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Rutter is one of the world's leading choral music composers and he's known particularly for his carols. He was a very special guest on our seasonal season finale on Christmas music. Here's his full interview with David Hill. He lifts the lid on where carols come from, why the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge has become such a festive tradition and the unexpected inspiration for one of his best-known pieces,The Shepherd's Pipe Carol.

Get a playlist of The Bach Choir's favourite Christmas carols and receive monthly, behind-the-scenes updates on our activities by signing up to our monthly newsletter here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-6

See when John Rutter is next conducting his world-famous carols (and other compositions) live - https://johnrutter.com/events

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.