Puzzle Canons and Musical Trickery in Bach's Compositions

Explore the playful and ingenious side of Bach's musical compositions in this 47-minute lecture that reveals the composer's mischievous spirit through his intricate puzzle canons and musical riddles. Discover how Bach masterfully incorporated hidden symbols, endless loops, embedded numbers, and names into his works, while creating melodies that could be played upside-down and backwards against themselves. Learn how these clever musical tricks and mathematical precision enhance the appreciation of Bach's transcendent compositions, revealing both his technical brilliance and delightful sense of humor. Delivered by Milton Mermikides, Gresham Professor of Music and Associate Professor at the University of Surrey, at LSO St Lukes in London, this engaging presentation offers unique insights into the playful complexity behind Bach's sublime musical genius.