Bach Fever! – TUESDAY 29th DECEMBER 1.30pm BBC Radio 4

22nd December 2009

Universally loved, Bach's music has always been a serious resource for musicians: music teaching, composition, keyboard harmony and study of all sorts.  but a resource for jazz, electronic, pop, acapella and easy listening as well?  Oh yes ... the master is behind it all.

Arrangements of Bach are everywhere, in every musical genre. Filled with brilliant music, this programme explores these other sides of Johann, and asks what it is about Bach in particular that lends itself to such extraordinary invention, imitation and pilfery ... from the Brandenburg Concertos recorded on a Moog to easy listening records like "Bach Goes Bossa!".  What do jazz musicians hear in Bach, for example, that they don't hear in other composers?  And is the key to all this invention hidden in Bach's own musical text?

Presented and produced by Simon Hollis. 

The Telegraph (Gillian Reynolds):

"Bach Fever! was a polished box of surprises. If you wonder why Bach tickles the brain, can be jazzed up, bossa nova-ed even, and come out stronger than ever this, beautifully presented study by Simon Hollis will have given you some intriguing answers. "