You know what piece I am talking about - one of the most famous pieces composed by J.S. Bach. Martin Scorsese has very beautifully used this piece - the orchestral version played by Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra (Eugene Ormandy) - in his movie, Aviator. You won't believe how much weight this music adds to the scene where Leonardo test drives a newly built aircraft. It brings out all that is great about the aircraft, its speed (with its tempo) and the new record that it is creating and the sense of elation that Leonardo experiences during the flight. The feeling of exhilaration, joy, mixed with speed, with a little seriousness - all is happening in that scene. Only Bach's music could have provided something meaningful there. I must have watched that scene so many times on DVD just for its music.
It so deeply touched me that I lost myself in it completely. It is at such times that I feel that the sole purpose of my existence is to listen to such great music that people have composed. There is such a resonance with some songs that I get goosebumps immediately. They just go and touch my soul. And this is not the first time I am listening to this piece. Though the original piece was composed only for organ, people have orchestrated in several different ways over the years. Where could I start, if I want to praise and sing its glory? The fugue part is one of the most brilliant pieces ever written. What a harmony? How the hell did he even manage to write all the notes down when such tunes leap in his head literally? Imagine what all he must have forgotten to written down! This piece runs for about 9-10 minutes depending on whose rendition it is. And its incredibly complex. Did I mention I love the harmony? I mean, he must have had several brains to process such information and make sense out of it. The beauty of the piece though is not its technicality, but the music itself - the grace - the theme that it brings about to just prick your heart. Imagine composing such a masterpiece now that would outlive yourself, for several centuries.
Bach died in 1750, six years before Mozart was born. Bach was religious and mostly composed for the church in his early days. He lived a life to reflect this: "God took care of his music quality - he took care of the quantity". I believe in God just because music exists. You don't really have a choice, after you listen to such pieces. They say that if Bach had another choice or birth, he would have become a mathematician. You'll understand why if you listen to his pieces and read his notes. It must have been great to belong to Bach's family at that time. It is known that he almost had an ensemble made just of his family members. He is probably the one famous composer who lived a decent/normal life, unlike that of Mozart's or Beethoven's.
I'll get back to listening to that piece again.
It so deeply touched me that I lost myself in it completely. It is at such times that I feel that the sole purpose of my existence is to listen to such great music that people have composed. There is such a resonance with some songs that I get goosebumps immediately. They just go and touch my soul. And this is not the first time I am listening to this piece. Though the original piece was composed only for organ, people have orchestrated in several different ways over the years. Where could I start, if I want to praise and sing its glory? The fugue part is one of the most brilliant pieces ever written. What a harmony? How the hell did he even manage to write all the notes down when such tunes leap in his head literally? Imagine what all he must have forgotten to written down! This piece runs for about 9-10 minutes depending on whose rendition it is. And its incredibly complex. Did I mention I love the harmony? I mean, he must have had several brains to process such information and make sense out of it. The beauty of the piece though is not its technicality, but the music itself - the grace - the theme that it brings about to just prick your heart. Imagine composing such a masterpiece now that would outlive yourself, for several centuries.
Bach died in 1750, six years before Mozart was born. Bach was religious and mostly composed for the church in his early days. He lived a life to reflect this: "God took care of his music quality - he took care of the quantity". I believe in God just because music exists. You don't really have a choice, after you listen to such pieces. They say that if Bach had another choice or birth, he would have become a mathematician. You'll understand why if you listen to his pieces and read his notes. It must have been great to belong to Bach's family at that time. It is known that he almost had an ensemble made just of his family members. He is probably the one famous composer who lived a decent/normal life, unlike that of Mozart's or Beethoven's.
I'll get back to listening to that piece again.
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