The Reception Of Monk And Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach and Thelonious Monk are two very important and revered musical minds in history. Both of them developed a body of work that is almost universally well known. In modern music their influence is unmistakable today from Bach informing an entire school of classical music and setting the guidelines for generations, and from monk inspiring generations of jazz pianists and composers with his idiosyncratic ouvre. It is also easy to see the importance of studying their works today. Monk’s music teaches us about the power of extensions in harmony, how interesting rhythms and syncopations can breathe life into music, the necessity of humor in music and so much more. From Bach on the other hand, we can learn about the complexities of contrapuntal writing, the simple elegance of his four part writing, and the importance of tension and release in music. Not only is their music timeless but they both led incredibly interesting lives that play a large part in why they are seen as icons today. As a result It is easy to see their incredible genius today but the public reception during their lives was varied. 

Bach; born in 1685, was the son of a musician where at a young age he studied the organ and learned music theory. Most of his early career is characterized by his work for noble families in what is now germany. He filled the role as a concertmaster writing and performing pieces for different ensembles. His most famous pieces during this time were the Brandenburg Concertos and the Well Tempered Klavier. However, his most iconic working period was as the Cantor for the church in Leipzig. There he wrote cantatas for the weekly Sunday service in total numbering 300 distinct musical pieces. And it was there he worked almost up until his death in 1750. During his own life Bach was for the most part unrecognized as the incredible composer we know him as today. He was actually more well known as a virtuoso organist who’s technique was a sight to behold. Famously a german prince once gave him a diamond ring after an incredible performance. His compositions were mostly ignored and church goers in Leipzig, as well as critics and contemporaries complained that his works were too complex. Also much of his work was not published and printed, and in the period following his death was lost. It seemed Bach would be largely forgotten however much of his keyboard writing, such as The Well Tempered Klavier was used to teach young musicians. This resulted in the next generation having a greater appreciation for his music. That generation of “romantic” composers were clearly influenced by him which led to more of his music being printed. Famously Mendelssohn performed Bach’s St Matthew Passion, a performance that was so popular it spurned on what was called the “Bach revival. ” From there he became more and more ubiquitous, even becoming an important posthumous figure in Germany’s nationanist movement in the 19th century. Today Bach has a firm place in the zeitgeist as his music is performed all over the world to countless audiences and he is correctly recognized as one of the greatest composers of all time. 

Thelonious Monk was born in 1917 in North Carolina but grew up in Manhattan. He was a self taught pianist and from his teenage years on was a working jazz musician. While working at Minton’s He was instrumental in the foundation of bebop by playing nightly sessions with people such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gilespie. After his first recording in 1944 he met Lorraine Gordon, future owner of The Village Vanguard and wife of the head of Blue Note Records, who tried to promote him. Unfortunately at the time no one was interested in listening to Monk’s music. Listeners believed he was simply bad at the piano instead of understanding his musical stylings. He played a week at the Vanguard in 1948 but no one came to any of the gigs. Famously after refusing to testify against Bud Powell in a narcotics case the police took away his cabaret card which meant he couldn’t play many gigs in New York City. During the next few years he recorded more records but none of them did particularly well. His luck turned around when he was signed to Riverside records who bought out his previous record deal for around one hundred dollars. His album “Brilliant Corners” is the first relatively successful album he had recorded and his popularity grew. When he was signed to Columbia Records he was able to be widely promoted by a big label for the first time. There he released “Monk’s Dream” which was incredibly successful and although he more or less left the scene as his health got worse towards the end of his life he was, and still is, wildly popular. Although Monk only wrote 70 songs he is one of the most recorded jazz composers of all time which speaks to his unique and brilliant voice. Today it is hard to find any jazz musicians that are not in some way influenced by his legacy. 

Both Monk and Bach were at first not recognized for their incredible talents. However, as their notoriety grew, through either Monk’s label promotion and performances or Bach being worshipped by the next generation, They reached deserving heights of popularity. The differences in time period play a role as Monk had access to a media industry that Bach did not. This allowed Monk to enjoy success during his own lifetime as Bach was sadly never able to. Today both have their music being played and studied all over the world and deservedly so. Their works contain profound truth and beauty in a way great only great music can and that is ultimately why they are still popular today.