Swinging Bach
September 2006 Reviewed by: Joseph Taylor Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

The title of this DVD, Swinging Bach, may lead you to believe that it is composed of Bach pieces played by jazz musicians, an assumption reinforced by the fact that it is credited to "Bobby McFerrin and Guests." In fact, the performances in this open-air concert, presented in Leipzig in July 2000 to mark the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death, are evenly divided between classical and jazz artists. McFerrin, though he may be the best known of the musicians listed on the program, isn’t really the star of the show and doesn’t appear any more than any of the other musicians featured that evening.

The hosts of the show, Nina Ruge and Alan Bangs, attempt to explain why the qualities of Bach’s music make it swing regardless of how it is played, but their comments don’t really clear anything up. The music does. That evening, the German Brass, the Jacques Loussier Trio, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and several others demonstrated once again that the beauty and precision of Bach’s music are inspiring whether it is played as written or more freely interpreted.

Bobby McFerrin has a lot to answer for after "Don’t Worry, Be Happy," but the pure beauty of his voice on "Concerto in D major, BWV 972" reminds us that he is a truly gifted singer. He joins Jacques Loussier’s Trio for a similarly impressive, much looser "Improvisation on ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’, BWV645." Loussier’s trio is captivating in its three appearances on Swinging Bach, using the composer’s melodies as a starting point for brilliant improvisation, but always returning to their solid foundation. The Turtle Island Quintet wittily combines Bach and Parisian swing on "Bach’s Lunch -- Variations on Themes by J.S. Bach."

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Swinging Bach is that it presents both jazz and classical musicians as skilled, well-trained artists for whom playing Bach brings out their greatest musical passion. Violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony join the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig for two movements from the "Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra in D Minor, BWV 1043," and both performances are as energetic as anything the jazz musicians play. Jazz flautist Jirí Stivín joins the same orchestra for one piece, then segues effortlessly into a Bach medley with his own group, the Collegium Quodlibet, and sounds at home in both settings.

Originally produced for European television, Swinging Bach was elegantly filmed in Leipzig’s Marktplatz (marketplace), which was packed with an enthusiastic crowd whose spirits remained high even when it began to rain. The setting itself should receive star billing. The buildings surrounding the two stages provide a beautiful historical context for the music (the German Brass performs on a balcony at the Old Town Hall, built in 1556). The PCM stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mixes are both very good and there’s a DTS 5.1 mix, as well. The title might be slightly misleading and Bobby McFerrin is certainly not the star of the show, but lovers of Bach, even if they’re purists, should find Swinging Bach an enjoyable view.

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