After Bach
Brad Mehldau · 2018
69 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A contemplative blend of classical structure and jazz improvisation, weaving Bach's melodies into fluid, modern expressions.
Top tracks — play these first
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Before Bach: Benediction Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a meditative tone, combining minimalist piano motifs with lush harmonies that foreshadow the thematic complexity to come.
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After Bach: Rondo — In this piece, Mehldau creatively reinterprets traditional forms, showcasing his virtuosity while allowing space for improvisational dialogue that contrasts with structured melodies.
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After Bach: Dream — This track exemplifies the seamless integration of improvisation and composition, where dreamlike textures emerge from Bach's framework, reflecting Mehldau's introspective style.
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Prayer for Healing — Closing the album, this expansive piece embodies emotional depth and spiritual reflection, melding intricate piano lines with a sense of yearning for peace.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalMehldau's innovative blending of classical and jazz elements creates a distinctive and cohesive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a solo piano piece that sets a contemplative tone, followed by reinterpretations of Bach's preludes and fugues that blend classical motifs with jazz improvisation.
- Each track varies in tempo and mood, with some pieces maintaining a steady rhythm while others explore more fluid, free-form expressions.
- Several tracks feature recurring themes from Bach's works, which are then expanded upon through intricate improvisational passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- contemplative late-night immersion
- dynamic exploration of themes
- intricate improvisation and structure
- reflective moments of stillness
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward, upbeat music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — A reinterpretation of Bach's works blending jazz and classical, diverging from his typical style.
- Career context
- At the time of its release, Brad Mehldau was celebrated as a leading figure in contemporary jazz, particularly known for his innovative piano work. 'After Bach' arrived after his acclaimed album 'Blues and Ballads' (2016), showcasing his continued exploration of classical themes through a jazz lens, marking a significant phase in his artistic evolution.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esbjörn Svensson Trio· Tigran Hamasyan· Robert Glasper
Tracklist
- 1 Before Bach: Benediction Start here 5:27
- 2 Prelude No. 3 in C# Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, BWV 848 1:21
- 3 After Bach: Rondo 8:21
- 4 Prelude No. 1 in C Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, BWV 870 2:36
- 5 After Bach: Pastorale 3:46
- 6 Prelude No. 10 in E Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, BWV 855 2:16
- 7 After Bach: Flux 5:06
- 8 Prelude and Fugue No. 12 in F Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, BWV 857 6:10
- 9 After Bach: Dream 7:50
- 10 Fugue No. 16 in G Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, BWV 885 3:04
- 11 After Bach: Ostinato 12:20
- 12 Prayer for Healing 11:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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