Best WTF Bach Podcasts (2024)

1
The 3rd Keyboard Partita (A Crucial Revision) 22:01

11d ago22:01

22:01

A brief(er) episode for you today: Bach’s first published opus was his six partitas for keyboard. In some of the sources within Bach’s circle, copies retained as a ‘Handexemplar’ include revisions by a scribe we can almost say with certainty is Bach himself. The most consequential of these revisions appears at the end of the third partita, where th…

1
Faulty Recall and Change 29:38

2h ago29:38

29:38

Jewels says most of us don’t remember details as well as we think, it’s hard to remember everything you’ve said to whom and a child’s world today is very different from their parents’ and grandparents’. Best to adapt rather than stubbornly clinging to old ideas and mistakes. It's better for us too. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays…

1
Lice and Laissez Faire Little Ones 25:13

2h ago25:13

25:13

Jewels says she sometimes doesn't understand why children think the way they often do, even though she was an irrational child herself once upon a time, and even though lice aren't a health risk, they're gross and caused her nightmares back in the day. And it's possible that if a child looks excessively unkempt, people might subconsciously treat th…

1
Fun Friends: Spencer Bach 25:43

14m ago25:43

25:43

Jewels chats with Kelowna Actors Studio Resident Music Director Spencer "appropriately named" Bach about his passion for playing, teaching, learning, listening to and sharing music and particularly musical theatre. Thank you for the music. If lockdown taught us anything, it was the importance of art. OH and is Spencer related to Johann Sebastian? W…

1
Fun Friends: Michael Esposito II 45:19

5d ago45:19

45:19

Jewels says people are fascinating when you take the time to get to know them. She chats with actor/singer/great guy Michael Esposito II, who is playing Sky in Kelowna Actors Studio's Mamma Mia, and he has an album!! email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Michael's Instagram: @mespo2 Short Path: Hope Short Path: Exis…

1
Performer's Commentary, Vol. 3 53:07

24d ago53:07

53:07

The final performer’s commentary episode for you. This is live commentating (the program notes of the future) on the last of my three simultaneous releases. This album is a bunch of preludes and fugues— some maybe you know, some maybe you don’t. You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer’s commentary from the third v…

1
Showbiz and Tech Week 19:55

12d ago19:55

19:55

Jewels says Kelowna has some pretty impressive sports and showbiz venues, and she especially appreciates the Kelowna Actors Studio's investment in the technical side of their productions. The tech team are the unsung heroes. PLUS: Don't buy Mamma Mia tickets from resellers who inflate prices or are selling fake tickets!! YES THIS IS HAPPENING. emai…

1
No One Ever Erected a Statue to a Critic (Bach vs. Scheibe) 36:19

18d ago36:19

36:19

Johann Adolph Scheibe went down in history for attacking Bach’s “turgid and confused” style. “…from the natural to the artificial, and from the lofty to the obscure ... one wonders at the painful labor of it all, that nevertheless comes to nothing, since it is at variance with reason.” Let’s examine the controversy from the beginning. How To Suppor…

1
Fun Friends: Delphine Litke AKA Rosie in Mamma Mia! 29:22

19d ago29:22

29:22

Jewels says one of the great things about an extended stay in Kelowna and being in Mamma Mia is the fabulous women she has met, one of whom is today's guest, Delphine Litke. Delphine is an actor, podcaster, a beautiful singer, a beautiful person, and one of Jewels' newest fun friends. Instagram: @jewelssays email: jewelssays@gmail.com Episode Refer…

1
The Goiter... or Seroma... or WTF Knows 20:57

2M ago20:57

20:57

Jewels says even though the Canadian public health care system is better than nothing, and hospitalization probably won’t bankrupt you, it’s no day at the beach trying to get medical care for something relatively inconsequential. And she loves having a chin again. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Jewels Says: R…

1
The Scamclusion and Dog Tales 33:48

2M ago33:48

33:48

Jewels says love is blind - well, she's obviously not the first person to say that, but she AGREES that love is blind. When you love someone, even if that someone is a dog, they look so beautiful to you. Plus a less than satisfying - but final - scam conclusion. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Jackie Pirico's …

1
Mi Fa, et Fa Mi est tota musica (BWV 1078) 32:59

1M ago32:59

32:59

On March 1, 1749, Bach penned the following into a Stammbuch: Today’s episode covers this canon in depth. What does it mean? How does it sound? Here is a link to the article by scholar, Anatoly Milka. The book, Bach and the meaning of Counterpoint, by David Yearsley is available here. How To Support This Podcast: https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https…

1
Swimsuit and Shoe Struggles 20:25

2M ago20:25

20:25

Jewels says sometimes the most mundane things can be frustrating when your life is too easy. Like finding an acceptable swimsuit or suffering in insufferable stilettos. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: The Shoe Doesn't Walk Celine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Life is Unfair 28:35

2M ago28:35

28:35

Jewels says JFL Montreal is BACK, even if on a small scale - mostly men though - and as pride month wraps up, the complainers might need to be reminded of what’s been happening to women’s reproductive rights that we’ve taken for granted, and if you don’t like what people post on social media, you are free to ignore it. We all make mistakes and life…

1
Performer's Commentary, Vol. 2 37:46

2M ago37:46

37:46

Another performer’s commentary episode for you. If you’ve missed out on the second of my three simultaneous releases, you’ll have a chance to listen to it here, with my live commentary. You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer’s commentary from the second volume here. —More streaming links (including youtube playli…

1
Kelowna, Kraken and the Jewels Jinx 23:32

2M ago23:32

23:32

Jewels says she felt a bit of the jewels jinx when she traveled to Kelowna, but is she being petty? Should you stand your ground when someone invades your space or just step aside and let them? Should you feel guilty for standing firm? Maybe the choice is to feel guilty or resentful. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode Refere…

1
The Ashley Madison Scandal and Snoop 23:05

3M ago23:05

23:05

Jewels says the Ashley Madison documentary may be more layered than you might expect... it raises issues of hypocrisy, security, monogamy, marriage and has a few interesting characters. And whoever said dogs are just dumb animals has never truly known or loved a dog. Their personalities are as unique as ours in many ways, and her temporary charge, …

1
Bach's Puzzle Canons (Yes, Please.) 30:02

3M ago30:02

30:02

Thanks for your feedback on the last few episodes. I’ve gathered my listeners enjoy piecing together musical cells in their minds, so today’s episode will bring you more of that. The eight surviving canons, BWVs 1072-1078 (+BWV deest) were written on small pieces of paper or penned into registry books. Their compact content, usually only a few note…

1
Facelift Update - Week 4 24:31

3M ago24:31

24:31

Jewels says it would be nice not to care about looking old, but she's pretty happy to be back to looking like herself. Is that shallow? Maybe, but it's ok to appreciate the icing on a cake and still be grateful for everything else that really matters. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Dr. Dominic Bray Hayley McG…

1
Fun Friends: Andrew Johnston - Tour de Fours 39:58

3M ago39:58

39:58

Jewels chats with comedian Andrew Johnston on non-profit financial woes and grifters, some of the ups and downs of self made content and the importance of creative work in all our lives, stage time and relentlessly putting one creative step in front of the other for its own sake, even if - or especially if - you feel like you're in the deepest, dar…

1
Performer's Commentary, Vol. 1 47:07

3M ago47:07

47:07

If you miss those DVDs with the optional director’s commentary, you’re going to enjoy this episode. Each album in my ‘J.S. Bach Complete Solo Keyboard Works’ will be accompanied by this type of work, my commentating as the music plays. You can stream (and individually purchase) any track including the performer’s commentary from the first album her…

1
Fun Friends: Ben Afleck - host of Best of London podcast 56:41

3M ago56:41

56:41

Jewels chats with Ben Afleck about podcasts, travel, their shared love of theatre, Ben’s diverse professional and creative successes thus far and the reticence, risks and rewards of creating something new. Plus Ben introduces World’s Best Pod, launching soon. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays @bestolondon Best of London podcast Epi…

1
Fun Friends on Facelifts: Katherine Ryan 34:25

4M ago34:25

34:25

Jewels chats with her firstborn, Katherine, about plastic surgery, cosmetic enhancements and specifically, her greatest gift yet, aside from the obvious - the facelift - what it was like, the results so far and how her recovery is going. No more melting candle. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Katherine: @kathbum Episode Reference…

1
What Did Bach's Business Card Sound Like? 48:53

4M ago48:53

48:53

You know that portrait of Bach holding a little scrap of music? Ever wonder what the piece was? What it sounded like? That piece of paper is a six-voice, triple canon: number thirteen in the fourteen additional canons found on the back of Bach’s personal copy of the Goldberg Variations. (Analysis of that specific canon around 32 min.) We’ve covered…

1
Grandfather Abe: Expectations and Cheating 35:12

4M ago35:12

35:12

Jewels chats this week with Grandfather Abe the Babe about his perspective on some of the differences between women’s and men’s expectations in a relationship and what motivates men to cheat. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Chidera Eggerue: @theslumflower Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa…

1
Pre-op Prep 26:14

4M ago26:14

26:14

Jewels says she’s struggling a bit with the no caffeine, low salicylate pre-facelift diet, maybe it’s not such a bad thing to be high maintenance and it’s important to support people who have the courage to create something. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Tom Hearn on Tour Edinburgh Fringe Hot Docs - Document…

1
The Old Gal in FLA 23:56

4M ago23:56

23:56

Jewels says don't judge a place by what you see on the news, 'news' or clickbait. Most people are great and even though she hasn't been to Florida in over 20 years, one weekend in St. Augustine left her wanting more. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Dr. Gabor Maté St. Augustine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr…

1
Three Albums on Presale Today! (Ever Dance With a Double?) 30:56

4M ago30:56

30:56

ALBUMS ON PRESALE TODAY! BUY THE ALBUMS HERE! Volume One: Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4t Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pws Volume Two: Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnz Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6w Volume Three: Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmf Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb As for the …

1
Kerrie's BDE 25:27

5M ago25:27

25:27

Jewels says Kerrie must have been born with BDE as she clearly demonstrated throughout her childhood. Don't feel badly if you don't have it though... you're in good company. It wouldn't be special if it weren't at least a little bit rare. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Hidden Brain: The Ugly Side of Beauty Ho…

1
An Uplifting Proposition 26:46

5M ago26:46

26:46

Jewels says even though she’s happy to be aging, and grateful for her good health, she has never been able to shake the self consciousness about the visible part of the process. And now, Katherine has come to the rescue. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Dr. Dominic Bray Instagram: @drdominicbray Clinique de Mod…

1
Some NEWS (and a Cantata...) 32:01

5M ago32:01

32:01

Thanks for all your support during The Bach Store! If you’re in NYC on Friday, come to Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker Street at 7pm. Be sure to mark your calendars: April 24th, 2024, my new albums will be on PRE-sale. It marks the beginning of my most ambitious project to date: a very thorough, if possible, ‘complete’ set of the keyboard works of…

1
Food for Thought 23:23

5M ago23:23

23:23

Jewels says she used to enjoy special occasions a lot more when her children were young, even though she was a bit of a frazzled mess at times and a bit overwhelmed with so many responsibilities. Like the daily grind of making food. And guilt because we should be grateful to have so much food. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Host…

1
Ruminations 22:48

5M ago22:48

22:48

Jewels says she has a hard time understanding a lot of things, like why some people seriously hate live theatre, or adults who are fine with shirking responsibility, or how the world will ever emerge from violence and chaos. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: London show ticket recommendations from a listener (no…

1
My Scam Purchase and NYC 25:00

6M ago25:00

25:00

Jewels says it's her own fault she was scammed but thankfully it was for small sum. Plus she shares highlights from her week in New York City with Grandfather Abe the Babe, Joanne and Richard. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: The Scam Company American Museum of Natural History Marie's Crisis Cafe Nintendo New Y…

1
Dumped 27:02

6M ago27:02

27:02

Jewels says she completely understands why her agent dropped her and reminds you that even though it’s never too late to try new things, it’s better to start young, because your future can take some unexpected turns. And she imagines a life with her mother Dorothy if things had gone differently for them both. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: …

1
Self Worth, Tradmoms and Instamoms 25:23

6M ago25:23

25:23

Jewels says maybe stubborn independence doesn't serve us well, we really only have choices if we believe we have choices and the social media companies need to be more accountable for customer safety. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: The Slumflower Hour Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…

1
Bach Store is BACK! (+ Bach at 15 yrs. old) 25:46

6M ago25:46

25:46

You read correctly: The Bach Store is back. In Erfurt, Thuringia, the state from where the Bachs hail. I will play for five hours, March 14-28, 12.00-18.00 GMT +1 (7AM-1PM EST.) You can (hopefully) stream the whole run on my youtube. Subscribe HERE. Or go to: www.youtube.com/@wtfbach Here is the latest video I mentioned in the podcast. Bach Store M…

1
Fun Friends: Heidi Brander 41:20

6M ago41:20

41:20

Jewels chats with acclaimed comedy writer, Heidi Brander. Heidi says a TV comedy writers’ room is a lot like it’s depicted on 30 Rock. If you aspire to a seat in one of those rooms, you should know that no one wants to read anything, so stand up comedy was Heidi's path to writing jobs. Plus, like it or not, making connections matters more than you …

1
Introducing: The Flute! 51:10

6M ago51:10

51:10

This week I’ll be performing some flute chamber music in Santa Barbara, California. I realize I’ve never specifically mentioned Bach’s wonderful flute repertoire on this podcast. We tackle here what I find is the most complex composition in the repertoire: the first movement of the b minor sonata, BWV 1030. Pieces heard: BWV 1030.1 Source P. 1008, …

1
My Three Year One Night Stand 29:24

6M ago29:24

29:24

Jewels says she has the three year rule for a reason, it shouldn’t take anyone that long to get out of a relationship with someone who treats you disrespectfully and it’s worth challenging some of the ideas you grew up with. Plus some lessons from a former relationship that soured over 40 years ago. Email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssay…

1
Fun Friends: Kalie Woodcock 58:03

7M ago58:03

58:03

Jewels says romantic love is overrated and sometimes even dangerous, so Valentine’s day should celebrate ALL the loves in our lives – friends, family, pets and especially the children in our lives. Today's special guest, Kalie, shares some of her insight from working with children. It's possible to be firm, fair and fun. If in doubt, sing, don’t sh…

1
Two More Cantatas (1724, Part 3) 42:40

7M ago42:40

42:40

This is the final episode introducing Bach’s cantata cycle of 1724. In the first four cantatas of the cycle, we heard how Bach used Lutheran hymnal melodies as cantus firmi in different voice parts in each opening movement (sopranos, followed by altos, followed by tenors, followed by basses.) Here, the next two cantatas see less predictable treatme…

1
Sitcoms, Sleep Shaming and Reality TV 29:59

7M ago29:59

29:59

Jewels says she appreciates a well written sitcom, not everyone wants to be partnered up, giving birth does not ruin your figure, and wouldn't we all appreciate a lot less criticism? email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance Hot in Cleveland Love on the Spectrum Nyad Hosted on Acast. Se…

1
Am I Naive? Ruminations After a Night Out 24:12

7M ago24:12

24:12

Jewels says perspective is powerfully influenced by our lived experiences, and shares how this hit home on her recent night out for dinner and dancing with a gal pal. Email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Episode References: KISS (no tour dates listed) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Fun Friends: Courtney Hall - Realtor, Landlord, Property Manager 34:29

7M ago34:29

34:29

Jewels' guest Courtney shares her expert perspective on the business of owning an investment property, how to legally manage challenges and discusses why ‘cash for keys’, which has been a hot recent new item, is not necessarily unfair to the landlord. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Courtney's Instagram: @courthallrealtor Episode…

1
2024. An Important Bach Year (Part Two) 45:37

8M ago45:37

45:37

Last episode we introduced Bach’s second cantata cycle from 1724. We saw in the first cantatas of the cycle, Bach used a church melody as the cantus firmus first in the sopranos, then the altos. This episode we will explore the next two cantatas where Bach sets the cantus firmus in the tenors in BWV 7, and the basses in BWV 135. About the melody yo…

1
2 minutes: P.D.Q. R.I.P. 3:19

8M ago3:19

3:19

Peter Schickele was one of my idols. He died on Tuesday, January 16. His creation, P.D.Q. Bach, helped bring much needed self-effacing humor to the world of classical music. Links below to help you get into his (and Victor Borge’s— another giant of classical music parody—) life and work: Peter Schickele’s Obituary, NY Times Beethoven’s 5th announce…

1
Landlords, Leaders and Lawyers 30:36

8M ago30:36

30:36

Jewels says owning a rental property may not be the best business for her, leadership isn’t a gender-based skill even though she appreciates a good dance leader and not all lawyers are rich. email: jewelssays@gmail.com Instagram: @jewelssays Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Self Doubt and Barbaric Breastfeeding 24:14

8M ago24:14

24:14

Jewels says we all feel self doubt, it's unkind to judge different parenting styles and unconscionable to undermine parents. Most of us are just trying to do our best. Plus some tips on potty training a toddler. It’s a shame Jewels didn’t have Katherine to advise her when Katherine was a baby. Also: If you're planning a trip to beautiful British Co…

1
Why Is 2024 An Important Bach Year? 39:50

8M ago39:50

39:50

In this episode we delve into Bach’s second cantata cycle begun in 1724. The first two cantatas are briefly covered, (with two further cantatas to follow next episode) as well as the connection between the Lutheran church melodies and the significance of the year Bach began this ambitious project. Pieces heard: BWV 20, O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (Cl…

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