Whole Music: Why Some People Aren't on Board the Bach Train
Iconoclast Glenn Gould, an interpreter of Bach When music experts discuss the healing power and potential of classical music, they always include the music of J.S. Bach. And I admit I felt intimidated the first few times I listened to Bach's concertos and then later, a mass. It didn't help that the people introducing me to Bach's compositions were academics. And it didn't help that people who spoke about Bach in my distant past, did so in a condescending manner. Then once I was on the Bach train, metaphorically speaking, I would tout the Goldberg Variations performed by Glenn Gould to people I met. They often said that they couldn't listen to Bach because their stern parents did. Or the really good response was that Bach reminded them of church music and a detested religious upbringing. I guess for those folks the healing power of Bach's music is lost. And this brings up the question that if Bach's music triggers bad memories and even panic attacks ...