Giving Birth to Bach and Baby

December 22, 2011 at 9:17 PM

It’s amazing how similar it is to start with an idea, germinate it, cultivate it and then voila! Give birth to it like a baby. As I prepare to release my latest album, ‘Air-The Bach Album’ on Valentine’s Day, 2012, I started to think of the process it took to reach this place.

I listened to the Bach Concertos in A minor and E major, and the Double Concerto my entire life. My earliest memories of this music are when we were on a family vacation, driving in the beautiful woods of Canada. We had to leave our beautiful new puppy named Melody, back home in California. My dad got off the pay phone (that’s how it was back then!) and had a very somber look on his face…we found out she picked up an infection and died in the kennel. It was one of the saddest memories I have as a child and this music was wafting through the car, patting and soaking up my tears…

Andante from ‘Air-The Bach Album’

I also remember playing the Bach Double Concerto at my teacher, Dorothy DeLay’s memorial. The folks who had their last name begin with A-M got first fiddle and M-Z got second, with Itzhak Perlman conducting. It was also one of the saddest days of my life, remembering the woman who gave all of us so much to challenge our lives with, joy and humor. But it was incredible to have all these violinists who’s lives were affected by one grand lady, together because of Bach. Playing Bach, I always think how he has influenced our lives with the deep profundity his music has reached in us all.

From the time my record producer at eOne Records, Susan Napodano DelGiorno, started discussing this project, to the actual recording sessions in London, this past May and New York, this past September, to editing, photography, mastering, finalizing product and release, will be a year long process. Just like a baby! Here is a bit of the incredible making of this album:

From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 2:53 PM

Good luck with your album. Bach is certainly a wonderful companion for all of life's triumphs and tragedies. May your "baby" be healthy and happy and best wishes for the holidays and New Year.

From Randy Walton
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Although Bach is indelibly linked to sad events in your life, it's evident the birthing of this album was a joy to you as well as a lot of work, and it will surely be a great source of inspiration and joy for all who experience listening to it.

There's nothing I can add to the accolades already written about you and your playing, but just know that I am one more mortal smitten by the emotion that you manage to draw from that greatest of all instruments, the violin.

I wish you all the best with this album and any future "birthings".

From Emily Grossman
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:21 AM

I feel special that you shared your personal thoughts with me! The Bach pieces are ones we can all relate to, and each of us have our own connections to their meaningfulness. I can only imagine how excited you are to see this album come together, and I hope I can listen to it soon. (I'll try not to think of your poor dead puppy, though--how sad!)

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Giving Birth to Bach and Baby

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