Bach on the Banjo
Neil Gladd (mandolin), John Bullard (banjo), John Patykula (guitar), Paul Stokes (guitar), Catherine Hubert (violin), Yen Yu (violin), Molly Ruze (viola), William Comita (cello), Michael Grant (harpsichord)
Here is an imaginative offering that should have wide appeal. John Bullard has attracted international attention for his work in developing and transcribing the classical repertoire for the five-string banjo. A highly regarded bluegrass artist as well, John began playing the banjo as a child and was strongly influenced by the legendary Earl Scruggs. He was on the 1992 faculty of the world-renowned Tennessee Banjo Institute, along with Pete Seeger and Bela Fleck. It has been said about him: "what Segovia did for the guitar, John Bullard may well do for the five-string banjo; elevate it to a respected classical instrument." Bullard himself writes: "I love the five-string banjo. Penetrating and soulful, its personality is bewitching. I encountered "Scruggs Style" picking as a youth and was hooked. I have the same visceral reaction when I hear lutes and harpsichords. They posses that raw, plucked sound so characteristic of the banjo. In fact, when I listen to Renaissance and Baroque music, I hear banjos. The same earthy texture found in Appalachian music attracts me to the Early Music of Europe and Britain. While it is fascinating to realize the ties between Appalachia and its musical ancestors, my transcribing of "Classical" works for banjo simply indulges my passions. While drawn to the music of Bach, his contemporaries, and their Renaissance forebearsI love the five-string banjo."
Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Hornpipe | Georg Frederic Handel | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Prelude from Partita No. 3 | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Menuet in G Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Menuet in G Minor from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Musette in D Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Fugue in G Minor | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Menuet in G Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Polonaise in G Minor from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Marche in G Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach | J.S. Bach | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Mysterious Barricades | F. Couperin | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Gavotte | Padre Martini | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Concerto in C Major | G. P. Teleman | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Concerto in D Major | A. Vivaldi | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
| Concerto in G Major | A. Vivaldi | John Bullard, banjo, John Patykula, guitar, Neil Gladd, mandolin, Paul Stokes, guitar, Catherine Hubert, violin, Yen Yu, violin, Molly Ruze, viola, William Comita, cello, Michael Grant, harpsichord |
Reviews
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"John Bullard has attracted international attention for his work in developing and transcribing classical repertoire for the five-string banjo. And the attention is well-deserved. This recording is a beautiful collection of familiar baroque pieces performed on banjo, guitar, mandolin, cello, violin and harpsichord.John is an accomplished musician, presenting a variety of tone color, beautifully executed ornamentation, and a sensitive interpretation.I highly recommend this recording."
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