When I started to learn Hindustani classical music my one of the first ragas I learnt was Yaman. I say one of the first because actually from memory I think he first was Khamaj. One of my teachers. Michael Junius, told me that Yaman was the raga one should start with. It was auspicious and would ensure that one's musical learning would progress well. Maybe that is why mine did not...
Another of my teachers, Nikhil Ghosh, once told me that Allauddin Khan used to say that he could have played Yaman all his long life and still "not plumbed its depths".
I think Bach is like this... One can listen to Bach again and a again and it is always new, always re-inventing itself somehow.
I've been listening to Bach cello suites all week. I have several recordings.
Yo Yo Ma's is my least favourite - his playing is lifeless to my ears. He lacks something and I can't say quite what... perhaps gravitas.
Maurice Gendron is marvellously strong and perfectly paced. Bach would have liked his playing I think.
Pablo Casales plays like a madman - his interpretations of Bach sound like Stravinsky at times... I think he is my favourite. I'm a big fan of madmen (and women)
Better to be ignorant of worldly concerns,
better to be mad and flee from self-interest,
better to drink poison and spill the water of life,
better to revile those who praise you,
and lend both the capital and the interest to
the poor, forgo safety and make a home in danger.
Sacrifice your reputation and become notorious.
I have tried caution and forethought;
from now on I will make myself mad.
-Rumi
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