Mat Patterns in Bach's Music
Hello David. FYI
Secret Mathematical Patterns Revealed in Bach's MusicBaroque German composer Johann Sebastian Bach produced music that is so scrupulously structured that it’s often compared to math. Although few among us are emotionally affected by mathematics, Bach’s works—and music in general—moves us. It’s more than sound; it’s a message. And now, thanks to tools from information theory, researchers are starting to understand how Bach’s music gets that message across.
Read in Scientific American: https://apple.news/Abf_nZ7eLTLadBASiVZXuzw
James:
Fascinating stuff. I was going to make a joke about Bach's co-composer, "Al Go-Rhythm," before carefully reading the story. Would be a gas to see what would happen if this information entropy system was used to analyze just one Little Walter solo!
Interestingly: Two nights ago I travelled down to Berkeley to hear this year's Mark Hummel Harmonica Blowout gang, one of the featured players of which was Jason Ricci. In the middle of a long blues and jazz-flavored solo, Jason broke out into an overblow version of Bach's Cantata BWV 147, i.e, the well-known "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring." Instantly recognizable to an audience that broke out into wild applause. 300 years after he wrote it, Bach is right up there with the great blues harmonica players!
Very cool, thanks for sharing.