Bach on the Wrong Instrument

Nobody ever told me I was playing Bach on the wrong instrument

“After years of playing Bach on the piano and marimba, my whole idea of this music was forever changed by performing on historically appropriate period instruments. I want to share my discoveries and passion with anyone who plays or loves the music of Bach as I do.”

Not your average early music lecture recital

How can we play Bach’s music on the wrong instrument while respecting the underlying language, dance, and articulations found in early instruments? By performing on both the marimba and harpsichord with an accompanying lecture, Sean makes a case for both period instruments and modern instruments being appropriate for Bach’s music. Sean addresses what can be learned from the past and the ways we can treat old music as an historical artifact, learning the context and language behind the notes.

Topics of discussion include:

  • Baroque Dance

  • Articulation

  • Baroque violins and bowing

  • Historical tuning systems - temperament

  • Marimba interpretations of the Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas

  • Marimba interpretations of the Bach Cello Suites

  • The inner workings of the harpsichord

  • Similarities and differences of modern vs. historical instruments

  • Key color and emotional affect

  • The role of analysis in Bach

  • Common modern interpretation and conventions

  • Voicing and dynamics

  • Continuo

  • Improvisation and ornamentation

  • Bach’s inspirations