Collecting Bach Links
We’re in the mood for a bit o’ Bach. Taking a nod from Ambleside, we listened to his Magnificat in D this morning—to the first movement, that is. Somewhere around the second aria, Rilla decided her mission in life was to plant both feet flat on Beanie’s face. For some reason, Beanie found it difficult to listen to music that way. Rookie.
Anyway, I’m rounding up my links for easy access during, let’s say, Rilla’s naptime. If you’ve got any great Bach links, books, CDs, etc, you’d like to share, please fire away. 🙂
Magnificat in D on YouTube (Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra) (One of many, many recordings there.)
Wikipedia page on Bach’s Magnificat
Wikipedia page on the Magnificat itself. (Includes Greek, Latin, and several English translations.)
Mr. Bach Comes to Call
Have any of you read this book: Sebastian Bach, the Boy from Thuringia? Do we desperately need to read it? Because I’m trying this crazy, crazy thing where I (gulp) don’t buy any more books for a while. ::::shudder:::: Sorry, I felt faint for a minute there. Good thing I’m sitting down, anchored by a great big lump of snoozing baby.
(Deep breath) Okay then. Moving on. Beanie has just begun reading Genevieve Foster’s George Washington’s World
Here, for good measure, is the Douay-Rheims translation of the Magnificat, Mary’s great outpouring of joy from the Gospel of Luke:
- My soul doth magnify the Lord.
- And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
- Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
- Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.
- And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
- He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
- He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
- He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
- He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:
- As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Meredith says:
We can never get enough of Bach!!! Matthias has been playing O Sacred Head Surrounded, it’s so beautiful!! Thanks for all the links, I’ll try and put up a few for you too 🙂
On January 21, 2009 at 3:10 pm
regan says:
yay douay-rheims, everything sounds better when read from there and bach-rachs!
=)
can we please see more baby pictures?
i am addicted to snuggly baby pictures right now!
On January 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Jamie says:
I used to be a bit of a Bach afficionado…back in my days as a music major. When looking for Bach always looks for stuff by John Eliot Gardiner…he is the BEST…he sticks as closely as possible to original tempo markings and uses PERIOD INSTRUMENTS!!!
My favorite cantata…ohh I can’t remember the number but it is is Jauchzet gott en alan Landen….find the Gardiner version with Emma Kirby as soprano (she is a DREAM)…and actually Magnificat is also on this disc.
On January 21, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Rebecca says:
Hi Melissa:
A couple of other excellent resources to add to your Bach list:
Why Beethoven Threw the Stew – Steven Isserlis. There’s a chapter on Bach that’s info-rich. Steven’s other excellent book about composers is Why Handel Waggled his Wig. Love the titles – love the books!
We’ve also found Mike Venezia’s books on the composers to be great resources – there is one for Bach. The books aren’t long, have cunning little drawings, and do a good job of summing up the essence of the composer’s life and major works.
Classical Kids also have put together albums of just the music from their story CDs – with a sample of the story as the last track. We enjoy just listening to the music.
I keep hoping that Ann Rachlin will do a recording about Bach – she’s done some wonderful ones about Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn. Her voice has one of those warm, buttery-posh British accents. Delightful.
I look forward to to reading other suggestions – I’m always on the lookout for excellent music history/appreciation resources that will appeal to kids.
On January 21, 2009 at 3:54 pm
michelle waters says:
It is a good book – they all are in that series. But I wouldn’t say you DESPERATELY have to read it. What we like about them is they focus on the childhood of the musicians – even their crazy antics.
On January 21, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Linda says:
Hi, Melissa! We often enjoy the shows on http://www.classicsforkids.com – no Magnificat per se, but lots of cool ppodcasts and info about lots of composers!
Enjoy,
Linda
On January 21, 2009 at 5:55 pm
DnSmum says:
http://www.dsokids.com/2001/dso.asp?PageID=238 has a little bio on Bach
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/music/bios/bach/ another more detailed bio …with a quiz!!
http://www.makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library/hey-kids-meet-johann-sebastian-bach.htm
has links to multiplication Bach connect the dot, word search and coloring page, lesson plans and solos.
Interesting article : http://ezinearticles.com/?Piano-Lessons-With-Papa-Bach&id=1229613
And finally this gem which is a favorite in our house…
Why did Mozart get rid of all his chickens?
Because they kept saying Bach, Bach, Bach, Bach….
On January 22, 2009 at 6:13 pm
MelanieB says:
Bella came running when I clicked on the You Tube Magnificat link. Thanks for a little classical music in our morning.
On January 23, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Erin says:
Found your blog while looking for Little House information and quickly realized I have found a treasure! We are a homeschooling family with 5 kids, so far, and also dabble in Ambleside. Looking forward to getting more acquainted with your site!
~Erin
On January 31, 2009 at 1:00 pm