"Of course the musical staple was the German chorale. Sebastian grew up with the Eisenach hymnal of 1673 --with more than a thousand pages and six hundred hymns. Bach was well-versed in the songs of the Reformation.
At that time, the primary method of learning and teaching particular subjects was through imitation. Students learning writing or music skills memorized and copied the exempla classica, or exemplary classics, of eminent and distinguished masters. Emulation of the classics provided a firm foundation in what was excellent and a model on which to base new creative work. This concept also reflected the medieval and Baroque concept that craftsmanship was of greater importance than originality -- a view contradicting that held by the emerging secular Enlightenment, which placed individuality and originality above all else."
~ Gregory Wilbur, Glory and Honor, The Musical and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach
Imitation, copywork, memorization, craftsmanship. It was all there.
Wonderful! This reminds me of Evening in the Palace of Reason where he talks of Bach's education. I kept that in this list of quotes:http://ladydusk.blogspot.com/2012/02/commonplace-entries-evening-in-palace.html ... Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDawn, I made it through half of that book several years ago but ended up returning it to the library unfinished. I think Gene Veith had recommended it that time. I will try to go back and reread it again sometime. Thanks for sharing your quotes link.
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ReplyDeletenothing terrible, just a duplicate comment appeared. all is well.
DeleteYes - This is why one plays scales and more scales... tone tone semi-tone... tone tone tone semi-tone....
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't feel glorious. And it certainly isn't: "individuality and originality above all else." They are the same scales that have been practiced for time and eternity. BUT - they give you the tools to make your "own" music when they've finally yielded under your fingers.
And we started our scales practice on Monday, so I can gladly affirm this without any guilt! I love that you know music, I would flounder without your help. xo
DeleteI tried to read this book, but had to put it aside for another time. I couldn't get into it for some reason. I love the passage you've shared though - makes me want to try again.
ReplyDeleteBack is my favorite composer and I've always loved how he was able to be so incredibly creative precisely because he was such a master of form. I blogged about it awhile ago. If I remember to come back and link it later I will. :)
Whoops! The auto correct on my Kindle changed Bach to Back! Anyway I'm sure you realized what I meant. Here's the old post that I mentioned:
ReplyDeletehttp://orthodoxmindandheart.blogspot.com/2013/10/j-s-bach-mind-and-heart_18.html
Lisa, it's not my favorite book to keep reading, but it does cover interesting parts of his life. thanks for your link, I'll check it out.
DeleteI am reading Ten Way to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child and it has a section on memory and how valuable it is to memorize. Because from the foundation of what has been memorize, the imagination can take it even further. This quote above is an excellent example of that.
ReplyDeleteI love Anthony Esolen and that book has some great insights. Thanks for commenting, Sharon.
DeleteI've been thinking about imitation - more in relation to teaching drawing in recent times & the last section of your quote re individuality makes sense in that context also.
ReplyDeleteCarol, that's the only why I've been able to teach myself any drawing is by imitating. Thanks for commenting on this too. Love your posts and comments
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