Interval: Poems Based On Bach's "Goldberg Variations"

by Alice B. Fogel

In this series of poems responding to Johann Sebastian Bach’s spectacular “Goldberg Variations,” New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Alice B. Fogel has paid homage to a 274-year-old masterpiece and, with the theme of spirit and embodiment that music―and life itself―evoke, has rendered from it a luminous new interpretation. Bach created the Goldbergs’ 32 sections using nearly all the styles of western European music at the time; Fogel responds in kind with a range of contemporary poetic styles, including narrative, lyric, and experimental, all confined within the 32-line structure she has borrowed from the composer’s 32-bar format. Interval mimics the “baroque” effects of overlapping melodies and harmonies by layering sound, syntax, and sense in multiple voices exploring self, identity, and being. In capturing the essence of this iconic masterpiece, through these poems Fogel has created her own music.

Genres: Poetry, Music

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is this what death is like? Grogily awaking from a deep slumber.

A few gems that make you pause and admire a well molded verse. Would not recommend however as they are few and far between. But good for light reading poetry on variety of topics.

[Joe Sacksteder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught this book in my new class, Writing About Music and Writing Musically, and it went really well. I have tons of potential pedagogy to relate, but little time to type currently. Hopefully soon...

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Because what if, I asked her, what if when you forfeit this body you still have to love everything else?"

Gorgeous, beautiful, one of my favorites.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was having a hard time visualizing the sentiments and meanings in these but found myself following the musicality of the slant rhyme. That really redeemed this very enjoyable collection.

[Huda m · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing end to 2016... It might be confusing and I might be lacking, either ways we didn't quite get along.