‘Why waste money on therapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass?’ Good question, Michael Torke. And if anyone deserves not one, but two birthdays, it’s J.S. Bach. Born on this day 1685, (and baptised on 31st) his music is the yardstick by which all other is measured. Of the hundreds of thousands of recordings of his music, I’ve whittled it all down to fit a three hour Bachfest tonight on Vespertine. Music from Aoife Ní Bhriain, Radio String Quartet, The Modern Jazz Quartet playing the Brandenburg Concertos, Al Di Meola diving into the flute sonatas, and some excerpts from the towering St. Matthew Passion. Blow out 341 candles tonight, and thank the universe for the healing and health that comes with listening to the master.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd March, 9pm-12am
