the authenticity question

Lynn S is distressed:

Bach and Handel have been transcribed for banjo. The very thought of that inspires in me an emotional mix of fascination and horror. In other words it gives me the creeps. On the other hand, if the banjo had existed in Bach’s day chances are he would have written music for it and it would be the best music ever heard on that instrument. In addition to being a bit of a purist I’m also an acoustic snob so I could accept Bach on the banjo before I could accept Bach on electric guitar, however, I’m not quite willing to totally accept either one.

I guess she won’t be rushing out to buy Ars Longa Vita Brevis by the Nice (1969), in which Keith Emerson plays part of the Third Brandenburg on electric organ; a favorite of mine, though I find most of Bach’s organ works deadly dull. I’m also unimpressed by most classical guitar music as such, yet I very much enjoy harpsichord works played on guitar.

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One Response to the authenticity question

  1. Anton says:

    I bought that banjo CD (perhaps from another source), and enjoy it.

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