Absolute Bach Re-Invented

Bach Absolutely Re-Invented

Johann Sebastian Bach may not be rolling in his grave after all when Absolute Ensemble performs a gussied up version of the famous Inventions. In recent years the Inventions have taken on almost sacrosanct status and are held in far higher esteem than their student-exercise counterparts are entitled. Yet, trust Kristjan Järvi and his Absolute Ensemble to get to the root of matters.

In Roman times the great orator Marcus T. Cicero stated that there are five stages for creating an oration: the first stage is invention (inventio), followed by arrangement (dispositio), style (elocutio), memory (memoria) and delivery (pronuntiatio). Our societal reverence for the most famous Bach has filled us with feelings of inadequacy and fear. Although a number of bravadoes have attempted over the years, few have messed with Bachs perfect recipe and come out unscathed. It is deemed unnecessary and arrogant to alter the music that Bach intended. Or did he? This is the source of Absolutes take on the Inventions, for Bach was well aware of Ciceros rhetoric. The Inventions were not only student exercises in two-part composition, but also the foundation upon which Bach expected and surely would have demanded his students to grow. The sole purpose of the Inventions was to be developed. And here three centuries later Absolute Ensemble is taking the initiative. At the risk of being blasphemous, an all-star cast including Helene Grimaud and Joe Zawinul are joining forces to create and track the Inventions from their not-so-humble beginnings to an entirely new and unique development. The Inventions will take an off-beat journey from Baroque to rock through to Gypsy folk and hip hop.

Premiering at the Bremen Musikfest in 2008, Absolute Ensemble Presents Bach Reinvented.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kristjan
• Järvi
• Jarvi
• Absolute
• Ensemble
• Simone
• Dinnerstein
• Re-invented
• Bach
• Gene
• Pritsker