26th Annual Student Research Conference
From Bach to Bluegrass: an Examination of Contemporary Performance in Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046-51
Michael A. Kosiek♦
Dr. Marc Rice, Faculty Mentor
The years since J.S. Bach's death has seen a constant rise and fall in popularity of baroque music. Recently, there has been a grass roots movement to bring baroque music back to the people. These efforts have manifested themselves in a series of unique ways that fall outside of the traditional ways baroque music has been performed. This presentation will show how modern interpretations of past works are still a valid and representative art form. Specifically I will be looking at the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048 and its relationship to a modern arrangement done by mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and his progressive bluegrass ensemble the Punch Brothers. I will also touch on ways in which Thile has taken the genre of baroque music and blended it with genres of folk and bluegrass in efforts to further evolve, combine, and break down the barriers between genres of music.
Keywords: J.S. Bach, Bluegrass, Brandenburg Concerto, Chris Thile, Baroque, Punch Brothers
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 202-4
Location: OP 2117
Time: 10:15