Front. Bach.

Marshall has this shirt.
On the front it says “Front”.
On the back it says “Bach”.

And because we are both incredibly dorky music nerds, it makes us laugh every.single.time.

When I got the press release from Sony Music about a new Bach album, I almost didn’t even listen.  I have an old Bach CD that was my grandmother’s and the case has long been lost.  The CD itself doesn’t have much info on it other than “Bach Piano Concertos”, and I have no clue who performed which pieces on that album…but I love the recordings.  However,  these days I find myself listening to more Justin Roberts and Veggie Tales than Bach and Chopin, and I figured why bother getting another album I won’t have time to listen to?

Well, I had a few minutes to spare and decided to watch the video(which you can see below) about this new album, “Bach: A Strange Beauty” by Simone Dinnerstein.   In the video she talks about how the album’s name came to be and the sentiment that “anything that is truly beautiful is not perfect”.  I was intrigued that it was the imperfections and the unexpected turns that attracted her to Bach.  Because one of my favorite pieces(Concerto No. 5 in F minor: Largo) is so simple and yet interesting because just when you think you’ve figured out the pattern of the song, it changes.  And then it bursts into the Presto so unexpectedly that it’s impossible to not be slightly startled(in a good way).

Mrs. Dinnerstein’s sound is equally captivating.  At one point in the video she mentions that “her” sound is one that is incredibly clear.  Coming from many people that may sound like self-flattery, but I can assure that this is the truth.  Closing your eyes, it really sounds like the wind is forming these notes as they float through the air.

I am glad that I had a those few minutes with nothing to do, because now not only have a found a new performer with a fabulous sound, but I have re-introduced my children to the classical sounds that have slowly-but-surely been replaced by songs about baseball and grilled cheese.  (Not that those are bad things!  I love both of those songs!)

After listening to a few pieces of this album, Carter told me that he really loved this music “even though it didn’t have words”.  And he asked if he could play the piano like that one day.  So, I guess I’m off to find a piano teacher.  That’s one extra-curricular activity I don’t mind him participating in.  (I just have to go buy a piano!!)

P.S.  All you Atlanta peeps, she’ll be performing at Emory on Friday, April 1st!

I worked with Sony Music to bring you this review and I did receive a free copy of the album.
However if you take a few moments to listen to the gorgeousness, you’ll see why I think it would be a fabulous addition to any musical library.