Name: After Bach II
Brand: Brad Mehldau

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

0075597900774

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Softpack.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-05-10

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Warner Music Group

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

Artist

Brad Mehldau

Genre GB

Modern Composition

Label GB

Nonesuch

Brad Mehldau is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Born on August 23, 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida, he has been recording and performing extensively since the early 1990s. He is best known for his work with the Brad Mehldau Trio since 1995. 
Mehldau's unique style incorporates elements of pop, rock, and classical music into his playing, setting him apart from other jazz musicians. His innovative approach to jazz has earned him a dedicated following around the world.
In addition to his solo career and collaborations with various artists, Mehldau is married to Dutch singer Fleurine. Together they create beautiful music that showcases their incredible talent and chemistry as a couple.

Nonesuch is a US record label that was created in 1964 as a budget label for classical releases. It eventually expanded to include adventurous music from around the globe and world-premiere recordings of contemporary composers. Nonesuch has gone through various ownership changes over the years, including being acquired by Warner Communications in 1970 and becoming a sub-label of Warner Bros. Records in 2004.

Under the leadership of Jac Holzman, Nonesuch was established as a budget label for classical releases licensed from large record companies in Britain and France. Designed by Bill Harvey, the packaging emphasized affordability with releases marketed as "Recordings at the Price of a Quality Paperback."

In 1970, Nonesuch became part of Warner Communications (Kinney/WEA) and continued to release music under its own name along with other Elektra-based labels like Elektra and Asylum Records. The merger between Elektra and Atlantic labels in 2004 resulted in Nonesuch becoming a sub-label of Warner Bros. Records within the Warner Music Group.

Newest Listed Items

The Bach album comprises four preludes and one fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, as well as the Allemande from the fourth Partita, interspersed with seven compositions or improvisations by Mehldau inspired by the complementary works of Bach – including Mehldau’s Variations on Bach’s Goldberg Theme.

Mehldau, speaking of the “universality” of Bach’s music, says in his liner note: “The more you try to engage with him, the more your own personality becomes visible, unavoidably. You are not playing Bach – Bach is playing you, in the sense that he lays you bare... The greatest choice you make at all times is not out of an absence, but from what is there, in its totality. Specifically, it is the constant choice you make in how to negotiate between harmony and melody.” He continues, “This is why Bach is a model for me as a jazz musician. In my improvised solos, I want to make melodic phrases that carry harmonic implication, and create harmony that moves in a melodic fashion. This is a crucial component in the storytelling.” After Bach II follows 2018’s After Bach album, which originated in a work Mehldau first performed in 2015 – commissioned by Carnegie Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music, The National Concert Hall, and Wigmore Hall – called Three Pieces After Bach. Two of Mehldau’s compositions from that program were presented on the After Bach album; his virtuosic third piece, Toccata, is included on After Bach II.

After Bach II

Music GB

Discover After Bach II by Brad Mehldau on vinyl from Nonesuch. A unique blend of Bach's classics and Mehldau's improvisations.