What is a Puzzle Canon? The Divine Trickery of J.S. Bach - Milton Mermikides

Gresham College Lectures

Behind the sublime precision and expressive power of Bach’s music lies a mischievous spirit. From puzzle canons (where the performer must solve a riddle to reach the score), melodies that run upside-down and backwards against themselves, hidden symbols, endless loops, to the embedding of numbers and names into the music, this lecture explores Bach’s ingenious trickery. Unravelling this thread, enhances an appreciation – and sense of humanity and playfulness – to his transcendent music.
This lecture was recorded by Milton Mermikides on 23rd October 2024 at LSO St Lukes, London.
Milton Mermikides is Gresham Professor of Music.
He is Associate Professor in Music at the University of Surrey, Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music and Deputy Director of the International Guitar Research Centre.
The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/bachs-invention
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