Be Right Bach

We’ve been bumping into old friend J.S. Bach
with amazing frequency lately, and without really trying. Just last
week, leading our fall class through Harvard Yard, we stuck our heads
into
Memorial Church and were serenaded with the magnificent rumble and
penetrating vibrations of Harvard’s huge pipe organ being put through
its paces by
someone who really knew what they were doing. We never found out
who the artist was, but the piece was a Bach concerto. If they hadn’t
been waiting for us at the Peabody Museum we’d probably still be there..

Then, a few days ago, on our way to the Faculty Dining
Room, we came upon this charming group on a busy corner of Commonwealth
Avenue, singing their hearts out.  The sound was so surreal and
ethereal on a busy street that we had to stop and listen.  It
was a Bach Cantata! Note the sign they set up in front – it read "Who
is more Revolutionary"?” On the left are a series of portraits of Bach,
Mozart and Beethoven, and on the right a collage of 20th century politicians
and pop musicians.

It makes one think. Nearly 300 years after their deaths,
these guys play a daily role in the lives of millions of people around
the world.  Their works are still performed, listened to and talked
about. On any given night in the Boston area, you can go to a half-dozen
concert halls and hear what they wrote,

300 years from now, how many people will be listening to
and discussing the intellectual output of  John Kerry, George Bush,
Bill O’Reilly, Tom Clancy, Eminem, Instapundit or Stephen Spielberg.
300 years from now, how many will be left to remember?