Bobby McFerrin and Friends - Swingin' Bach

Starring:Bobby McFerrin, German Brass, Jacques Loussier Trio
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Taped in the splendidly baroque Market Square of Leipzig, with an enormous, tightly packed audience, this concert is dedicated to the proposition that the music of Bach "is still vital, is still contemporary, and is still very much universal." It proves its point resoundingly in one of the most enjoyable crossover programs ever recorded. A dazzling variety of performers, each with a distinctive style, demonstrates that the unique charm of Bach's music comes through in any treatment so far imagined.

Amazon.com

Taped in the splendidly baroque Market Square of Leipzig, with an enormous, tightly packed audience, this concert is dedicated to the proposition that the music of Bach "is still vital, is still contemporary, and is still very much universal." It proves its point resoundingly in one of the most enjoyable crossover programs ever recorded. A dazzling variety of performers, each with a distinctive style, demonstrates that the unique charm of Bach's music comes through in any treatment so far imagined.

Description

Bobby McFerrin and friends performing live from the Market Square in Leipzig. Tracks: Concerto in D major, BWV 972, 1st movement, Allegro (German Brass); Orchestral Suite No.1 in C major, BWV 1066, Bouree I/II (The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Christian Gansch); Fugue No. 5 in D major, from the "Well-Tempered Clavier" (Jacques Loussier Trio); Concerto for 2 violins in D minor, BWV 1043, Vivace (Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony, The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Christian Gansch); Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 5 (German Brass); Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068, Air (Bobby McFerrin, The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig); Concerto in D major, BWV 972, 3rd movement, Allegro (German Brass); Fudge Fugue in G minor (Quintessence Saxophone Quintet); Concerto for 2 violins in D minor, BWV 1043, Allegro (Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony, The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Christian Gansch); Bach's Lunch, Variations on Themes by J.S. Bach (Turtle Island String Quartet); Snow What (Turtle Island String Quartet); Deconstructing Johann (King's Singers).

Customer Reviews:

Bach Swings.......2004-07-25

I haven't seen the DVD, but I was present in the rain for the concert. There was electricity running through the huge audience during the entire concert which started around 10:30 at night and lasted until after 1:00. My favorite parts were the German Brass playing the Bach Toccata and Fugue in d minor and Bobby McFerrin singing the Bach Prelude in C Major while the audience sang the words usually associated with the music. I will never forget this performance.

A must for any jazz or classical fan.......2004-02-19

Many concert DVDs lack energy through poor video/audio quality and a lack of creative direction. This DVD excels in every category. The variety of music genres - symphonies to jazz vocals is amazing. I bought this being an avid fan of the Jacques Loussier trio and was rewarded with much more. Bobby McFerrin is great and the other performers are top notch. The direction is very creative making you feel like you are part of the audince. The picture is pure backed by a powerful 5.1 soundtrack.

Superb Bach and jazz fusion!.......2003-11-26

Borrowed this DVD from the public library and it turned out to be absolutely enjoyable! Think I'm gonna buy this DVD.

If you like Bach's music and jazz, you can't go wrong with this DVD. Plus, you get the live ambience and Bobby McFerrin's magic (watch how he seduces the audience with his singing/ sound-making/ whatever-you-call-it and even manages to get them to participate in live music making; ok, maybe they should rename the DVD's title to reflect that he's just one of the performers so as not to give some people false expectiations).

Ever wondered how Bach's music could be so "swingable" like the way the Jaceques Loussier Trio and Quintessence Saxophone Quintet do it? Or how modern Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor still sounds three centuries since it was composed? Or how Bach's music could cut across all styles and medium, from brass band to orchestra to string quartet to jazz trio to saxophone band to 6-voice a capella to a single human voice? Find out in this DVD.

And, both the video and audio qualities are first rate.

Magnificent piece of jazz and classical Bach music........2003-11-08

If you like Bach, and have an open mind this DVD will blow you out! The 3 songs performed by Jacques Loussier Trio is a master piece. Bobby Mcferrin also bring briliantism and the King Swingers are superb. My 2 years old daughter loves them on this song. And they say kids are the worst critics!

You can enjoy Bach in several alternative styles as well as in classical chamber and orchestra music style. And the recording is awesome! This is a live recording that sounds better than many studio recordings I've heard. OK there is some background noise, and the rain can be heard on the King Swingers track. Still I love it.

I feel fortunate to have purchased this DVD, and I do enjoy it more every time I listen to it.
If you like Bach and Jazz this is a must have for you collection.

disappointment.......2003-07-01

I'm sorry - but I was really disappointet ... there is only about 3 songs with Bobby McFerrin - This is not a Bobby McFerrin DVD. Some of the good songs he performed live on TV is not included on this DVD.

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