Bach before breakfast is a rather lovely, if bleary way to start the day. Starting at 8am every day, St Mary’s Cathedral hosts the pianist John Bryden who plays a select number of pieces from Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues Book 1. It is rather an odd atmosphere. Rather than a gloomy, dimly lit cavern of a cathedral as the backdrop, this morning’s concert feels fresh. The sun flashes in through the plain windows and morning traffic bustles noisily in the street. It gives the entire performance a fresh and an optimistic ambiance.
Bryden’s playing is simplistic, but extremely effective. Playing with just the right amount of character he enables Bach’s musical voice to come through and also manages to give the pieces an individual twist.
The opening piece of the concert, the Prelude in C major, was my personal highlight. This piece, famous even amongst the other preludes and fugues was handled sensitively and deftly and I felt able to relax, to forget about the day and let the music wash over me.
These morning concerts will only attract a certain type of festival goer: that’s for certain. But if you do want to start your day with some truly wonderful music played by a consummate professional then Bach before breakfast is for you. Did I mention that it comes with a breakfast provided after the concert?
