In the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, scored for three violins, three violas, and three cellos with continuo, Bach pushes a form, developed by Vivaldi, to magical new heights. The first and third movements are filled with conversing instrumental voices, sparkling virtuosity, and daring harmonic surprises. For the second movement, Bach provided a single measure with only two cadential chords. Here, musicians are free to improvise or substitute another slow movement. Both solutions honor the freedom and spontaneity of performance practice in the Baroque period.
In April of 2020, The Knights, a New York-based orchestral ensemble “on a quest to expand the boundaries of classical music,” released a digital performance of the Brandenburg Concert No. 3 which features a striking and seamless juxtaposition. Paul Simon’s meditative 1972 song, American Tune, arranged by The Knights co-founder Colin Jacobsen, forms the second movement. Simon based the song on the 16th century chorale melody, O Sacred Head, now wounded, which Bach harmonized and included in the St. Matthew Passion.
American Song is sung by genre-defying violinist, violist, vocalist, and composer Christina Courtin. Perhaps she is a kindred spirit of musicians of the Baroque period, who often played a wide range of instruments.
Recordings
- J.S. Bach/Paul Simon: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and American Tune theknightsnyc.com
Featured Image: photo by Shervin Lainez
Surprising and instructive! These capable musicians interweaved the old and the new astonishingly well. Thank you so much for posting this treasure.
A spirited rendition! If only music like this was still being written for coffee houses….
Inspired and lovely. Thank you for pointing out this performance.