J S Bach

Joren wrote: gentstan wrote:     Personally, I like to think that many classical composers would be prog rockers if they were alive today.     I think it would be more likely that they would be composing modern classical music, which is also very challenging...

Who knows what the gifted composers of the past would create if they had a complete 'digital' orchestra and recording tools/techniques at their fingertips. It might not be rock, but I doubt they would limit themselves with using only classical instrumentation.

Joren wrote: gentstan wrote: Personally, I like to think that many classical composers would be prog rockers if they were alive today. I think it would be more likely that they would be composing modern classical music, which is also very challenging...

Serious composers have always relied on commissions and therefore sponsors - he who pays the piper............ However, the miracle is that Mozart Monteverdi Tchaikovsky  progressed within that commercial need to earn a crust, and got the audiences specifically from the middle and upper classes. Serious music which is seriously played for the masses, was one of those changes the 20th century brought about. However, one of many downsides was/is the way the big records companies have come to influence what we heard and what they want us to purchase - and the evidence shows the record companies prefer the tried and tested, which has mass appeal, rather than taking risks. Hence it is a brave band that risks innovating against such a commercial philosophy.

And my half penny's worth: don't forget Walter/Wendy Carlos bringing J.S.B. to the masses. (And didn't Ekeption produce a whole album of Bach transmogrifications???)

Edited by Dick Heath

gentstan wrote:     Personally, I like to think that many classical composers would be prog rockers if they were alive today.

I think it would be more likely that they would be composing modern classical music, which is also very challenging...

Bach was the first progressive musician... Another bands that payed tribute: Sky, Ekseption, Il Rovescio Della Medaglia... there are too many, but I think that most of symphonic progressive rock bands, anyway, have been influenced by the beloved Johann Sebastian and his unlimited creativity.

I think Bach deserves a thread. In fact so many prog artists were inspired and covered some of his works : The Nice, ELP, Robert Fripp, Jonas Reingold (Karmakanic), Gordian Knot, Steve Morse, The Enid, Sagrado coraçao da terra, Spastic Ink. Do you know other prog artists that payed a tribute to Bach and to what extent did his music influence prog rock?