Bach & Friends 2 DVD-Set: Michael Lawrence Films  |
| A 2-hour documentary of Johann Sebastian Bach. World-Class musicians reflect on the power and genius of Bach's music and perform his greatest masterpieces. Performances in the Bonus disk: Felix Hell, concert organist; Fugue in D Major BWV 532 Bobby McFerrin, singer/conductor; Bach Improvisation Matt Haimovitz, cellist; Prélude, Cello Suite No. 1 (BWV 1007) Mike Hawley/pianist; Organ Fugue in G Major (BWV 577) Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers; Badinerie, Orchestra Suite No. 2 (BWV 1067) Manuel Barrueco, guitarist; Fugue from Sonata No.1 in G minor (BWV 1000) John Bayless & Anatoly Larkin Improvisation on Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645) Edgar Meyer, bassist/composer; Prelude, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor (BWV 1008) Simone Dinnerstein, pianist; Variations 13, Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) Chris Thile, mandolinist; Partita No. 2, Gigue in Dm (BWV 1004) Richard Stoltzman, clarinetist; Chromatic Fantasy in D minor (BWV 903a) Béla Fleck, banjoist; Presto, Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor (BWV 1001) Emerson String Quartet; Art of Fugue, Contrapunctus No. 1, 9 (BWV 1080) John Bayless, pianist, improviser; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire/Amazing Grace Improvisation (BWV 147) Jake Shimabukuro, ukuleleist; Two-Part Invention No. 4 in Dm (BWV 786) Zuill Bailey, cellist; Allemande, Suite for Solo Cello No. 6 (BWV 1012) Hilda Huang, pianist; Fugue in D minor (BWV 948) Joshua Bell, violinist; Chaconne, Partita No. 2 (BWV 1004) Reviews: "One of the most fascinating documentaries I've seen recently is Mike Lawrence's Bach and Friends. It's a two-hour compilation of some extraordinary performances coupled with information about the composer's life and times and personal reflections of musicians. The result is truly uplifting." - Alan Elsner, Huffington Post | March 1, 2010 "From Glass to PDQ to the Swingles it was a thrill all the way through." - Eric Siblin, author of The Cello Suites | February 18, 2010 "There have been other filmed documentaries on Bach, but this is the best I’ve ever seen." - John Sunier, Audiophile Audition | February 13, 2010 "Impressive Bach performances by the project's participants, including Bell's only recorded performance of the Chaconne." - Anne Midgette, The Washington Post | February 11, 2010 |