J.S. Bach Prelude Suite No. 1 in G Major

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach,1685. He was born into a great musical family; his father was the town’s musical director. Bach was a composer, teacher, and player of the musical arts. He is best know for his compositions on the organ, but also composed for the harpsichord, keyboard, and choir. After his lifetime he inspired the 18th and 19th century composers such as Beethoven and Mozart, who called him a “master of harmony”. During Bach’s life his work was not well know and many of his works were not published for a century after his death.

Bach has a style of music that is the embodiment of Baroque music. It is extravagant with rich harmonious melodies. He was able to take advantage in the new methods of creating organs at the time. Through the advancement of science, more precise and illustrious compositions could be made.

The work of Suite No.1 in G Minor is a beautiful piece that is played on the cello. The prelude is one of his more famous works, as it is used in TV and movies often. On a cello, it is not as easy to create a harmony as it is on a piano. Bach plays to both the cello’s natural resonance and careful placement of cords create a smooth, calm, and pure sounding melody. The musical notes carry with all the notes before it and melt into a great sound. The piece also fosters low and deep cords that cut through the air. These deep notes are very eloquent places next to all the high and crisp melodies.

Bibiagraphy:

“Johann Sebastian Bach.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.

Costanza, Christopher. “Suite No. 1 in G Major.” Suite No. 1 in G Major. Stanford, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. <https://costanzabach.stanford.edu/commentary&gt;.

Northern Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer

History

During his life, 1471 to 1528,  Albrecht Dürer contributed many great wood carvings and painting to the Renaissance era. His work featured exceptional detail that was common among northern painters at the time. One of his works, Young Hare, paints a picture of a rabbit beautiful covered in fur and light reflection off its coat; the painting is almost photo realistic. Dürer’s most famous work might be Adam and Eve, where his anatomical proportions capture the biblical begins with touches of the refined Renaissance human proportions.

Self Portrait

Starting at the age of 13 and continuing until he was 29, Albrecht Dürer painted a series of four self portraits.

The detail of his final paining is outstanding. His iris have lines radiating outward just like that of a real eye. The hair on top of his head is ruffled ever so slightly adding a bit of rough character to the photo. The fur on his coat glistens with a luscious texture that wraps to his body.

Intricate details are my favorite part of the Renaissance era, so I have a strong preference towards northern painters. This picture would fit well next to a fireplace and a trophy animal. This is a stunningly simple and elegant painting that captures a simple man.

Humanism Meaning

In his portrait he is depicting himself from a straight on perspective. This technique is commonly used for portraits of Christ. In the wake of humanist movements, self identity was on its way to becoming and important part of life. Today the concept of self image is drastically different than in the 1500s, when a mirror was a luxury most could not afford to have. Through the works of painters and humanists, the concept of personal beauty and vanity was further refined to create today’s modern standards.

 

Sources:

NA. “The Self-Portraits of Albrecht Dürer.” N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2015. <http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth200/artist/durer_intro.html&gt;.

Springer, Mike. Self Portrait. Digital image. The Genius of Albrecht Dürer Revealed in Four Self-Portraits. N.p., 4 July 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2015. <http://www.openculture.com/2013/07/the_genius_of_albrecht_durer_revealed_in_four_self-portraits.html&gt;.