Summer of 1720.
 
The Dream of Johann Sebastian Bach
 
July 7, 1720
 
I.
 
...CHACONNE....
 
...Sing...Chaconne...piercing...the...hand...screaming...A...cross...the sky—out of the past—in search of lost time....
 
...Chaconne...O...Chaconne...sing...to...me...scream...A—CROSS...THE SKY—
 
Bach screams—
 
The violin sings—
 
The Chaconne cries—
 
The violin is screaming singing crying Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
The Chaconne is screaming singing crying Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani 
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
 
B A C H
 
B
 
A
 
C
 
H
 
Loudly
Loudly
Loudly
 
Forte
Forte
Forte
 
Pianissimo
Pianissimo
Pianissimo
 
Quietly
Quietly
Quietly
 
C H
 
B A
 
 
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden,
für unsre Sünd gegeben,
der ist wieder erstanden
und hat uns bracht das Leben.
Des wir sollen fröhlich sein,
Gott loben und dankbar sein
und singen Halleluja.
Halleluja.
 
Wer Wenn, ich Schriee
 
He dreams and screams into night.
 
He dreams and screams into day—
 
Screams all night long....
 
Heard among the angelic orders
 
Another minor chord.
 
Another major chord.
 
Minor chord.
 
Major chord.
 
Minor chord.
 
Screaming holds
 
Holds
 
Holds
 
Holds—A—cross...the sky...
 
Into the evening of the clear night
 
Hopes and dreams and fading tears
 
Tears falling
 
Falling
Descending
Into despair
 
Into puddles of liquefied brain—
 
Nothing is more real than nothing—
 
Swing fall crack--Arpeggio arpeggio
 
Swing fall crack--Arpeggio arpeggio
 
The journey of a thousand chords
 
The journey of a thousand arpeggios
 
Crack swing hack
 
A string breaks
 
Broken chords
 
up bow 
            down bow 
                            up down up down up down up down 
up bow 
down bow
Double stop
Double stop
Double stop 
arpeggio arpeggio 
starry starry night 
galaxies 
universes
stars
moons
 
And the voice of God...screams...A...cross...the sky....
 
Sein Oder Nichtsein, das ist hier die Frage:
 
Ascent
Descent
 
Ascent
Descent
Ascent
 
Happiness is never again possible
 
Hopes and dreams
 
Fade into broken crystallized shards of glass—
 
Never
 
Never
 
Never
 
Do you love me?
 
Do you love me God?
 
Chaconne
 
Chaconne 
 
Chaconne
 
Up bow, down bow, up bow, down bow
 
Arpeggio arpeggio
 
Another improvisation
 
64 variations...
 
Ratio of gold...vision of god...proportions of man...heavenly delight....
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
Christ lay in Death's dark prison,
It was our sin that bound Him;
This day hath He arisen,
And sheds new life around Him.
Therefore let us joyful be
And praise our God right heartily.
So sing we Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
 
My god my god why hast thou forsaken me
 
Why
      Why
            Why
Hast 
 
Thou
 
Forsaken
 
Me?
 
And the whore of Babylon stands before you.
 
memories of the past, of the woman you had loved...
sing—SCREAM—A—CROSS—THE—SKY—
 
From the minor to the major to another minor key...
 
Tender and sweet...
 
Chaconne...caressing...loving...song...
 
Moving through the past...moving through history...moving through time...
 
O'er Death no man could prevail,
If mortal e'er came near him;
Through guilt all our strength would fail,
Our sinful hearts did fear him.
Therefore Death did gain the day,
And lead in triumph us away,
Henceforth to dwell emprisoned
Hallelujah!
 
 
 
down bow
        up stroke
               down bow
                           up stroke
                                    down bow
                                              up stroke
                                                  down bow
                                                    up stroke
down bow
 
 
up bow
      down stroke
                up bow
                       down stroke
                                    up bow
                                            down stroke
                                                      up bow
                                                             down stroke
                                                         up bow
                                                           down stroke
up bow
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
down bow
   up bow
       down bow
            up bow
                 down bow
                         up bow
                             down bow
                                    up bow         
                                        down bow 
                                             up bow
down bow
                                                        up bow 
                                                            down bow
                                                                   up bow
                                                              down bow
                                                          up bow         
                                                down bow
                                             up bow
                                        down bow
                                up bow
                          down bow
                       up bow
                   down bow
                   up bow
             down bow
       up bow
  down bow 
                                                                                     
                                                               up bow         
                                                           down bow 
                                                         up bow 
                                                 down bow
                                            up bow
                                         down bow
                                     up bow
                                  down bow
                             up bow
                          down bow
                     up bow
             down bow
       up bow
down bow
   up bow
       down bow
             up bow
                   down bow
                         up bow
                               down bow
                                     up bow         
                                          down bow 
                                              up bow
down bow
                                                down bow
                                                              up bow
                                                     down bow
                                               up bow
                                         down bow
                                    up bow
                               down bow
                             up bow
                        down bow
                   up bow
             down bow
      up bow
  down bow 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
Ihr naht euch wieder, schwankende Gestalten!
Die früh sich einst dem trüben Blick gezeigt.
Versuch’ ich wohl euch diesmal fest zu halten?
Fühl’ ich mein Herz noch jenem Wahn geneigt?
 
Das Ewib-Weiliche!
 
The Eternal Feminine....
 
Once more you near me, wavering apparitions
That early showed before the turbid gaze.
Will now I seek to grant you definition,
My heart essay again the former daze?....
 
Once more I sense uncertain shapes appearing.
Dimly perceived in days youth long past.
Now in my heart I feel the moment nearing
When I can hold those phantom figures fast....
 
Uncertain shapes, visitors from the past
At whom I darkly gazed so long ago,
My heart’s mad fleeting vision—now at last
Shall I embrace you, must I let you go?....
 
Es ist ein Schnitter heißt der Tod.
 
Es ist ein Schnitter heißt der Tod.
 
Es ist ein Schnitter heißt der Tod.
 
There is a Reaper, Death yclept.
 
There is a Reaper, Death yclept.
 
There is a Reaper, Death yclept.
 
Arpeggio 
          Arpeggio 
Arpeggio 
 
semiquaver 
            semiquaver 
semiquaver
 
Demi semiquaver 
                   Demi semiquaver 
Demi semiquaver 
 
up bow
        up bow 
up bow
 
down bow 
           down bow 
down bow 
 
ascent 
       descent 
ascent 
       descent 
ascent 
        descent
 
Forte forte forte
 
Piano piano piano
 
Legato legato legato
 
Pianissimo—
 
Adagio
 
Adagio
 
Adagio
 
GOTT
 
NICHTS MEHR
 
NICHTS MEHR
 
NICHTS MEHR
 
Allegro
 
Allegro
 
Con brio
 
Con brio
 
Con brio
 
Tod tod tod
 
Death death death
 
Screaming 
 
Schrecklichen
 
Sing of the Rage
 
Sing of das Menschen—
 
Liebestod—
 
Pulsing chords
 
Strike—
 
4th position
 
Third fingering on the board
 
Pulsing pulsing pulsing
 
Pushing pushing pushing
 
Trying trying trying
 
Failing failing failing
 
Falling falling falling
 
Doing doing doing
 
Dying dying dying
 
Screaming screaming screaming
 
Ascending ascending ascending 
 
Descending descending descending
 
Ascending 
                 descending 
                                   ascending 
                                   descending 
                  ascending 
descending
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden,
für unsre Sünd gegeben,
der ist wieder erstanden
und hat uns bracht das Leben.
Des wir sollen fröhlich sein,
Gott loben und dankbar sein

S
C
R
E
A
M
I
N
G
 
C
R
Y
I
N
G
 
D
Y
I
N
G
 
 
Screaming crying dying
Screaming crying dying
Screaming crying dying
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Crying
Dying
Screaming
 
Crying
Dying 
Screaming
 
Crying 
Dying
Screaming
 
 
 
Singing
 
 
writing
 
 
loving
 
 
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
Arpeggio arpeggio arpeggio
 
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  cycling
 
 
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Cycling circling cycling
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Whirling whirling whirling
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
arpeggio
 
Liebst du mich, Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
Liebst du mich, Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
Liebst du mich Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
 
S
C
R
E
A
M
I
N
G
 
C
R
Y
I
N
G
 
D
Y
I
N
G 
 
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  cycling
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  cycling
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  cycling
 
 
Screaming crying dying
Screaming crying dying
Screaming crying dying
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Dying crying screaming
 
Crying
Dying
Screaming
 
Crying
Dying 
Screaming
 
Crying 
Dying
Screaming
 
Dancing swirling curling
 
Twirling twirling twirling
 
Whirling whirling whirling
 
Dancing swirling curling
 
Twirling twirling twirling
 
Waking walking running
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
 
Arpeggio        
 
arpeggio
 
Arpeggio        
 
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
 
Arpeggio        
 
arpeggio
 
        arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
 
Arpeggio        
 
arpeggio
 
        arpeggio
 
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
       cycling
 
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  cycling
 
 
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Cycling circling cycling
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Whirling whirling whirling
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
arpeggio
 
Liebst du mich, Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
Liebst du mich, Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
Liebst du mich Gott?
 
Do you love me God?
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
arpeggio
Arpeggio        arpeggio
Arpeggio
 
Christ lag in Todesbanden
 
       cycling   
Circling     circling
  Cycling
 
Eli Eli lama sabacthani
 
 
 
Maria
 
Maria
 
Maria
 
Loving
 
Loving
 
Loving
 
Cycle of Life
 
Circle of living
 
Liebchen
 
Liebchen
 
Liebchen
 
Du....
 
Du....
 
Du....
 
 
 
32nds 32nds 32nds 32nds up down up down up down
 
B A
 
up down down up 32nds 32nds 32nds up down up down
 
C H
 
Up down up down 32nds 32nds 32nds up down and look around
 
 
 
 
 
CHACONNE....
piercing...
the...
air...
screaming...A--CROSS...
                                        THE SKY—
 
 
 
O Love
 
O Death
 
O God
 
O Time
 
O Maria...
 
II.
 
Bach sings—
 
Sanctus
 
Bach sings—
 
Sanctus
 
Bach sings—
 
Sanctus
 
Johann
Maria
 
Johann
Maria
 
Johann
Maria
 
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her.
Ich bring’ euch gute neue Mär,
Der guten Mär bring ich so viel,
Davon ich sing’n und sagen will.
 
Maria...
 
Maria...
 
Maria...
 
How happy you were?...
How happy you were?...
How happy you were?...
 
trilling trilling trilling
trilling trilling trilling
trilling trilling trilling
 
Was ist und?
 
Jesu, deine Passion will ich jetzt bedenken;
wollest mir von Himmelsthron Geist und Andacht schenken.
In dem Bilde jetzt erschein,
Jesu, meinem Herzen, wie du, unser Heil zu sein,
littest alle Schmerzen.
 
Jesus, to Your Passion's hour I turn my reflection;
Unto me from heaven pour Courage and devotion.
Show to me Your image now in my heart’s depiction
as Your suff'ring here below purchased our salvation.
 
When Wilhelm was born
When we first met so happy was I

I could see your face at the Church
 
Ich küsse ihre hand madame
 
Carl
Carl
Carl
 
Das kind das Ich war
The child that I was
 
Natur
Natur
Natur
 
Aus meines Herzens Grunde
Sag ich dir Lob und Dank
In dieser Morgenstunde,
Dazu mein Leben lang,
O Gott! in deinem Thron,
Dir zu Lob, Preis und Ehren
Durch Christum, unsern Herren,
Dein eingebornen Sohn.
 
My inmost heart now raises,
In this fair morning hour,
A song of thankful praises
To Thine Almighty pow'r;
And so I have begun
This day, my God, my life shall be
Begun and closed with praise to Thee,
Through Christ Thy only Son.
 
Dass du mich hast aus Gnaden
In der vergangnen Nacht
Vor G'fahr und allem Schaden
Behütet und bewacht.
Ich bitt demütiglich:
Wollst mir mein Sünd vergeben,
Womit in diesem Leben
Ich hab erzürnet dich.
 
For Thou from me hast warded
All perils of the night;
From every harm hast guarded
My soul till morning's light;
Humbly to Thee I cry,
Do Thou in grace the sins forgive
That anger Thee each day I live,
Have mercy, Lord most High!
 
Du wollest auch behüten
Mich gnädig diesen Tag
Vors Teufels List und Wüten,
Vor Sünden und vor Schmach,
Vor Feur und Wassersnot,
Vor Armut und vor Schanden,
Vor Ketten und vor Banden,
Vor bösem schnellen Tod.
 
And keep me of Thy kindness
From every harm to-day;
Nor let me in my blindness
To Satan fall a prey.
My cup with good o'erflows,
My soul and body, goods and life,
My home and friends, my child and wife,
Thy bounteous hand bestows.
 
What is Home for you my love?
 
We would walk down the Aisle...
Play the organ in the local church....
 
A toccata and fugue for you...mein Liebchen—
 
Geist...Spirit...Liebe...
 
Arpeggio Arpeggio Arpeggio
Arpeggio Arpeggio Arpeggio
Arpeggio Arpeggio Arpeggio 
My future love
My future love
My future love
 
Fourth finger
 
third finger
 
second finger
 
first fingering
 
Minor Thirds
 
Up bow Up bow Up bow
 
down
         descent
                 Ascent
ascending scaling descending scales
 
 
 
Du...
 
G string
D string
A string
E string
 
Trill trill trill
 
Sei mir willkommen, edler Gast!
Den Sünder nicht verschmähet hast
Und kommst ins Elend her zu mir,
Wie soll ich immer danken dir?
 
Jesu, lehr bedenken mich dies mit Buß und Reue,
hilf, daß ich mit Sünde dich martre nicht aufs neue.
Sollt ich dazu haben Lust und nicht wollen meiden,
was du selber büßen mußt mit so großem Leiden?
 
Jesus, teach me how to view this with true repentance;
help me not by sins anew to repeat Your sentence.
Shall I joy in this alone, its grim truth avoiding:
that You must for me atone with such pain and suff'ring?
 
Finger tap
Finger tap
Finger tap
 
Davon ich allzeit fröhlich sei,
Zu springen, singen immer frei
Das rechte Susaninne schon,
Mit Herzenslust den süßen Ton.
 
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
 
Maria 
Maria
Maria
 
From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
Whereof I now will say and sing:
 
 
Look there Look there
into air into thin air
 
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
 
 
Du
 
Du
 
Du
 
Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad New Year to all the earth.
 
LYRICALLY
 
Ich kusse ihre hand madame
 
MARIA
 
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her.
Ich bring’ euch gute neue Mär,
Der guten Mär bring ich so viel,
Davon ich sing’n und sagen will.

broken chords,
broken hearts,
broken pathways,
the broken strings of the Chaconne 
break
into something more eternal—
Lost Time.
 
Lost forever;
 
Understanding is beyond contradiction
 
Without you
 
I was nothing…would be nothing
 
What is the journey of the Chaconne?
 
Ein Zwei Drei
 
From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
Whereof I now will say and sing:
 
The journey will never end without you....
 
end of the dream
 
We’d sing into the stars, 
we’d talk,
we’d walk beside the lake, 
we’d hope to return, 
we’d kiss, 
we’d hug, 
we’d hold hands, 
we’d dance a gigue, 
we’d listen to a sarabande, 
we’d sing in the streets of Kothen,
we’d die of old age together,
we’d make love, 
we’d raise Wilhelm and Carl,
we’d walk down the aisle,
Our Lord who art in heaven,
would give you back,
And you would be in my arms again.
 
Maria
 
Maria
 
Maria
 
Ich liebe dich…
 
III.
 
Bach cries—
 
Nun lob, mein' Seel', den Herren,
 
What do I do without you, reading?
 
What do I do without you, writing?
 
What do I do without you, singing?
 
Warum hast du Maria Genommen?
 
Mein Gott…
 
Warum hast du Maria Genommen?
 
Mein Gott…
 
Warum hast du Maria Genommen?
 
Mein Gott…
 
Bach prays…
 
Now praise, my soul, the Lord,
all that is in me praise his name!
He adds to his acts of kindness,
do not forget this, oh my heart!
 
He has let us know
his marvelous justice and his court,
and also his boundless kindness,
nothing is lacking in his compassion,
he lets us off his anger,
he does not punish us according to our guilt,
he is unstinting in his mercy,
to the foolish he is graceful.
His kindness is valued highly
by those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
our sins are from him.
 
Oblivion
 
Music
Logos
Speech
 
Love
 
Music
Logos
Speech
 
Love
 
Music
Logos
Speech
 
Love
 
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
Love
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
Love
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
Love
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
          D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
Love
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
LOVE
 
Minor key
           Major key
Minor key
 
Love
 
D minor 
         D major
D minor
 
LOVE
 
Maria
      Maria 
Maria
 
Ich liebe dich...
 
...Home—
 
Music
cannot
Be
the
Same
Without
You—
 
Zeit…
What
                      Is
                    The
                True
         Meaning
of
Music?
 
Zeit…
 
 
That
Purer
Air
That
Musicians
Have
Breathed
For
 
 
 
 
The 
        only 
               true 
                      music
                                is 
                                    the
                                         Music
                                that
                        we 
              have
Lost....
 
...CHACONNE....
 
...Sing...Chaconne...piercing...the...hand...screaming...A...cross...the sky—out of the past—in search of lost time....
 
O God
 
O Love
 
O Death
 
O Beauty
 
O Maria...
 
What’s it going to be then, eh?
 
Never again...
 
Maria….
 
[May 14, 2013, Claremont, California — July 7, 2020, Chicago, Illinois]