Revisiting Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze”

My first starting work on this piece, reading through it and memorizing it, followed by my nuancing every single note and phrase with Mr. Cosmo.

My first lesson with Mr. Cosmo after I arrived in New York was on the Bach “Sheep May Safely Graze” transcription by Mary Howe.

The process of developing and refining this work has been a real lesson in how one grows into a piece.

Please notice the differences in the videos between the first time I played through it in Tokyo, and the ways in which Mr. Cosmo is helping me to see how I can add layer after layer of nuance.

In the second video we discuss the opening of this piece in detail, especially the color changes. We consider how the next harmony will change in expression from the first, and what direction it will take—warm, dramatic, inward, or moving forward—and it's a meticulous process of connecting cause and effect (rather than changing it arbitrarily). 

Mr. Cosmo also shared a special method for producing the first notes of this piece, so I'm really looking forward to using it to open the program. 

Carnegie has amazing acoustics, so I hope the color changes will be effective and the audience will enjoy it.

Tap an icon below to share this blog on social media, email, or your favorite messaging app.