Most of us know Robert Fripp as the founder of the progressive rock group King Crimson, world-famous for their classic album "In The Court of the Crimson King", which was followed by many other successes. However, he's prolific in several other areas of music, ranging from intellectual property issues, through other rock and jazz genres, to classical music. One of his projects is the Robert Fripp String Quintet, playing a blend of progressive rock and classical music on traditional instruments.
Courtesy of Nitay Arbel, I came across their recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor (BWV 582), an organ piece transcribed for the quintet. I found it lovely, and I hope you do too.
Quite a change from The Court of the Crimson King, isn't it? Oh, well - because it's Robert Fripp, who's so much a part of King Crimson, here's a live performance of their classic, almost definitive work, just for fun! I don't know how Bach would have reacted to it, though . . .
Peter
The Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor (BWV 582) has been recorded on so many instrumental combinations, as well as by different musicians -- and every version reflects both the instrument and the musician.
ReplyDeleteCompare two versions by the same musician (E Power Biggs) on:
Organ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plbjEsUIbOU
Pedal harpsichord - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p01w8MpOkxM
Or a different musician (Anthony Newman) on the same instrument
Organ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty2xhqXpe5Y
And, no matter what, the piece still shines.
A very enjoyable piece of music. Robert Fripp is amazingly talented.
ReplyDeletePeter, you might wish to checkout the many classical style compositions & performances by Jon Lord, best known as the keyboardist in Deep Purple. Until a few years ago, I had absolutely no idea about that side of Jon Lord. It might make for an interesting Sunday Morning Music.
ReplyDelete