![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/cantattta.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
We’ve been bumping into old friend J.S. Bach
\n with amazing frequency lately, and without really trying. Just last
\n week, leading our fall class through Harvard Yard, we stuck our heads
\n into
\n Memorial Church and were serenaded with the magnificent rumble and
\n penetrating vibrations of Harvard’s huge pipe organ being put through
\n its paces by
\n someone who really knew what they were doing. We never found out
\n who the artist was, but the piece was a Bach concerto. If they hadn’t
\n been waiting for us at the Peabody Museum we’d probably still be there..<\/p>\n
Then, a few days ago, on our way to the Faculty Dining
\n Room, we came upon this charming group on a busy corner of Commonwealth
\n Avenue, singing their hearts out. The sound was so surreal and
\n ethereal on a busy street that we had to stop and listen. It
\n was a Bach Cantata! Note the sign they set up in front – it read "Who
\n is more Revolutionary"?” On the left are a series of portraits of Bach,
\n Mozart and Beethoven, and on the right a collage of 20th century politicians
\n and pop musicians.<\/p>\n
It makes one think. Nearly 300 years after their deaths,
\n these guys play a daily role in the lives of millions of people around
\n the world. Their works are still performed, listened to and talked
\n about. On any given night in the Boston area, you can go to a half-dozen
\n concert halls and hear what they wrote,<\/p>\n
300 years from now, how many people will be listening to
\n and discussing the intellectual output of John Kerry, George Bush,
\n Bill O’Reilly, Tom Clancy, Eminem, Instapundit or Stephen Spielberg.
\n 300 years from now, how many will be left to remember?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading