Counterpoint: A Memoir of Bach and Mourning

Philip Kennicott's mother's death inspired him to learn Bach's Goldberg Variations, combining joy and despair, life and its end. He describes his efforts to master the piece and explores the cultural history of playing the piano in the twentieth century, raising questions about music and human understanding.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Philip Kennicott's mother's passing inspired him to listen to Bach's music obsessively, as it provided a sense of meaning and connection amidst the tragedy. The composer's music encompassed both joy and despair, life and its inevitable end, resonating deeply with Kennicott. Over the next five years, he dedicated himself to learning one of Bach's greatest keyboard masterpieces, the Goldberg Variations. In Counterpoint, Kennicott recounts his journey to master the variations and navigate his grief by confronting his memories of a challenging childhood.

He delves into the pleasures of mastering certain piano pieces, the frustrations that hinder his comprehension of others, the technical complexities they present, and the unparalleled beauty of the melodies, harmonies, and counterpoint that distinguish them. Throughout his exploration of Bach's compositions, Kennicott offers a cultural history of playing the piano in the twentieth century. He raises two interconnected questions: What does it mean to know a piece of music? And what does it mean to know another human being?

Bach's music became a solace and a means of transcendence for Kennicott during his mother's final days. It allowed him to experience her death and find solace in the beauty and complexity of the composer's work. Through his dedication to mastering the Goldberg Variations, Kennicott not only honored his mother's memory but also discovered a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Weight: 202g
Dimension: 138 x 210 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780393868388