WHAT a coincidence

Isn´t it just too much of a coincidence that two of the greatest geniuses in music history, died on the same day?

Well, not exactly the same day, but on the same date: 28th of July.

Antonio Vivaldi: 28th of July, 1741.

Johann Sebastian Bach: 28th of July 1750.

Bach revered Vivaldi, and in fact, transcribed some of his greatest works for different instruments. That means, he adapted Vivaldi´s music and rewrote it for a different set of instruments than those it was meant for, also adding/changing some notes in the process.

This was not seen as plagiarism. On the contrary, it was common practice and a great honor for someone to have his music transcribed by another composer. Especially if that composer was Bach…

I was born one day later than their deaths, on the 29th of July - only hundreds of years later.

To commemorate their decease and my birth, I´d like to share with you today a video in which I´m performing a “collaboration” between the three of us.

Yes, Vivaldi, Bach and me.

The very first version of this work is Vivaldi´s Concerto for Two Violins in A minor.

The second version is Bach´s transcription of the concerto, which became the Concerto for Organ in A minor bwv.593.

And the third version is my adaptation of Bach´s adaptation, this time for solo bandoneon.

Watch/listen to it here.

Enjoy, and have a great day!

Claudio.