Work
Walking Bach
for plectrum orchestra with optional flute and accordion
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About
J.S. Bach is sitting on your shoulder. He’s been there for a fair while now. And he makes no apologies for his boofy wig, facial powder that quite possibly enters the room more than a moment before he does, or those wonderfully-ornate clothes that these days would, well… actually, probably render a great many gentlemen jealous.
He goes for a stroll. This bass is not a ‘figured’ bass, thank you very much, it’s a ‘walking’ bass. First stop is a cinema where they are showing a film with a soundtrack by Philip Glass. I think our Baroque man J.S. is inspired to write more chorales at this point. Following a happy hop, skip and jump down the road, however, he stops by a park, where all present are taking in the reggae… and this time he ends up staying a little longer than he had planned to… until it is time to go home via a Fleet-ing performance by a local band.
This piece is dedicated to someone who on one occasion texted me saying they were ‘walking bach’ to my house. Pun apparently intended.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by the Federation of Australasian Mandolin Ensembles Inc. (FAME)
Dedication note
To O.W.P.M.
Contents note
A one-movement, mostly neo-baroque work for plectrum orchestra
Performance history
08 Jan 2011: Performed by FAME Camp combined orchestra with conductor Bryan Holden, at the Raye Freedman Theatre, Epsom Girls Grammar School, in Auckland