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From the Bench: A Musical Blog

Recap of Happy Birthday, J.S. Bach! Virtual Organ Concert

3/24/2021

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Last Sunday was Johann Sebastian Bach's 336th birthday, and of course, our celebrated Heinrich Christensen prepared a magnificent virtual gift concert for him, featuring some of Bach's own gifts to the world. 

In a prerecorded YouTube concert, Heinrich played the Chorale Partita on Sei Gegrüsset, BWV 768, the Trio sonata in E flat Major, BWV 525, and the Concerto in d minor, BWV 596, which Bach transcribed for organ from Antonio Vivaldi's original Concerto for 2 violins and orchestra. 

Heinrich performed, video recorded, and edited the concert (any one of which tasks would've been a challenge) and then hosted a post-concert virtual "Bacchanal"reception, during which his musical friends and he mulled over wine and the music.  While it would have been wonderful to hear it in person, everyone agreed that there were benefits to the YouTube version.  Through his creative filming and mixing, we were able to see Heinrich's hands, feet, and face during the concert, and as we watched and listened, he commented live in the Chat portion of the screen.  Beautiful still shots of details of King's Chapel were inserted in the video.

In his introduction, Heinrich reflected on this mode of solo music-making: spending months all on one's own in the Church practicing, and then performing and recording without an audience. It did not feel like a normal recital, but more like a video diary. 

Here are some of Heinrich's Chat notes, which were informal and very interesting:

He explained that he had chosen the gorgeous Chorale Partita, a gentler, more meditative piece than some, especially for this format of hearing the concert on our computers, and perhaps not wanting to have a blast of sound coming at us. He made comments about the organ registrations and stops (eg: Flutes 8 ad 4 on choir, Swell Flute 4, etc.) for his fellow organists in the audience.  At one point, the camera revealed that his right hand was playing a duet (the solo melody became a duet).

Bach wrote his Trio Sonatas as practice pieces for his son Wilhelm Friedemann. "These sonatas are a delight to practice and play but very scary to perform, since each line is completely exposed to the merciless scrutiny of the listener!"  On this piece he did especially interesting camera work, the three cameras showing his right and left hands and his feet on the pedals, all in one frame.

During the Concerto in d minor, he commented on the acoustic in King's Chapel, that "everything sounds very clear and non-reverberative, which keeps you honest".  Funny thing, I've never thought that Heinrich Christensen needed to be kept honest.  His playing is impeccable.

If you missed the concert, not to worry.  You can go onto the King's Chapel YouTube page and enjoy it: 

Sylvia Soderberg, Music Committee Chair
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    Heinrich Christensen

    Director of Music at King's Chapel

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  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Welcome
      • Calendar
      • Clergy & Staff
      • Contact Us & Directions >
        • Send A Message
      • Employment Opportunities >
        • Church Sexton Position
        • Assistant Minister Position
  • Worship
    • Holy Week 2023
    • Sunday at 9 AM
    • Sunday at 11 AM
    • Lent 2023
    • Sermons
    • Special Annual Services
    • Book of Common Prayer
  • Music
    • Tuesday Recitals
    • Concert Series
    • Musical Inquiries
  • History & Tours
    • Plan Your Visit >
      • 2023 At A Glance
      • Guided Tour Offerings >
        • Group Tours
    • Explore Our History >
      • A Brief History
      • The Stone Chapel: Art & Architecture >
        • The Wooden Chapel
        • Georgian Architecture
        • Box Pews
        • Interior Colors
        • Memorials
        • The Chancel Windows
        • The Last Supper Painting
      • Crypt and Burying Ground >
        • Crypt >
          • Crypt Highlights: Crypt Entrance
          • Crypt Highlights: Tomb Structure
          • Crypt Highlights: The Stranger's Tomb
          • Crypt Highlights: Research and Family Connections
          • Crypt Highlights: Remaining Memorials
          • Crypt Highlights: Hand-Hewn Beams
        • Burying Ground
      • Religious History >
        • Online Exhibit: Independent Country, Independent Church
        • 334 Years of Ministry
      • Slavery at King's Chapel
    • Online Exhibits >
      • Queen's Chapel: Women's History at King's Chapel
      • Revolutionary King's Chapel: Online Exhibit
      • Literary King's Chapel
      • Uncovering the Past: Exploring Black History Through Primary Sources
    • History Events & Programs >
      • Past Events & Programs
      • Recorded History Programs
    • Christmas History at King's Chapel >
      • Decking the Halls: The History of Decorating with Greens
      • Christmas Lights: Then and Now
      • 18th & 19th Century Christmas Services & Music
      • Christmas Feasts & Treats Throughout History
      • Holiday History Trivia
    • History Program Blog
    • About Us >
      • History Program Staff
      • Contact Us
    • Support the History Program
  • Community
    • News & Updates >
      • Parish Community News
      • Between Sundays Archive
    • Community from Home
    • Community Action Committee >
      • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Memorial to Enslaved Persons
    • Environmental Action Initiative
    • Join King's Chapel
    • For Members >
      • Budget Meeting 2023
      • Partner Church Sunday 2022
      • KC Bylaws
      • 2022- 2023 Church Leadership
  • Giving
    • Why Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Stewardship >
      • Pledge
  • Weddings & Baptisms
    • Weddings >
      • Dear Prospective Couple
      • Wedding Inquiry
      • Wedding Service
    • Baptisms
  • Space Rentals
  • Member Action Initiative