MUS 204 J.S. BACH: ALIVE!

An exploration of Bach's greatest hits through readings, listening and live performances. This course confronts the question of authenticity in musical performance. Students will consider: should musicians try to mimic the performance style of Bach's time when performing his works today? How do we know what style is? What are the arguments for performing in a historically-informed way instead of using a modern approach? Students will address these issues by reading historical treatises, comparing various recordings, and trying different approaches in their own performances. Designed for students with some background in performing on any instrument or voice.