Bach or Procol Harum

[musicalis]

Many people think that "A whiter shade of pale" comes from a music of J-S BACH. They are wrong or tell me which music it is.
"A whiter shade of pale" is a wonderful music, and I am sure J-S B would have enjoyed writing it.
May be his version would have some counterpoint. So I have imagined what this nice song could be if rewritten in baroque style. To get the very particular Hammond organ sound, I play the melody in the bass keys of Great with flutes 4', 2' and a fifth 1-1/3.
Please listen and make some comments.

A whiter shade of Bach.mp3

[wljmrbill]

Very Well Done... and yes I can hear Bach within. A great arrangement of this Beautiful peace. Like your registration also. Thanks again....

[Art Rock]

Lovely arrangement. Really enjoyed it.

This is what I wrote about the song in my overview of favourite songs:

One of those songs everyone knows. Also one of those songs where the most outrageous wrong claims circulate on the internet. I wish I would get a euro for every time I have seen someone claim that this is a cover of Bach's Air. It is not, as a simple side-by-side comparison will show to anyone who has ears. The melody and the harmonies are akin to Bach though , and actually Bach's Sleepers awake would be a stronger case to claim as an inspiration source. A world wide number one, and deservedly so.

[Flute'n'Pedal]

There have been so many funerals for which I've been requested to play "A Whiter Shade." Now you've given us a decent organ version, and I'll be playing it with pride.

[Dorsetmike]

Gets my vote too.

Two other pieces spring to mind as possibly suiting similar treatment, My Funny Valentine and What's New, (the latter treated á la Passacaglia, BWV 582?).

[Contratrombone64]

No enough accidentals to be Bach-like I think ...

[methodistgirl]

Whiter shade of pale does have Air on a G string in it. You can hear it.
judy tooley

[musicalis]

Hi Judy.
I am sorry but I do not understand what you mean. Can you explain please ?

[wljmrbill]

I think she is referring to the medlodic line.. which I can also hear a relationship to " Air on a G string " too. ALso the pedal part if : d=quarter note, rest eigth, c-b eighths ..etc pattern in the Air( just a sililarity that I can hear too. )

[Marc]

Those guys knew their Bach.

There certainly is some 'Air' (BWV 1068) in Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale.

And maybe the Harum also stands with one foot in the grave: Sinfonia from BWV 156 Ich steh' mit einem Fuß im Grabe (AKA 2nd movement of Concerto in f minor BWV 1056).

But of course, after all that misery, the Harum will arise again: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 140, AKA BWV 645).

[QFE]

Musicalis,

Most excellent arrangment. I'd love to play it at a recital, but after a quick search I couldn't find it on your site. Could you post a link?

Cheers

[musicalis]

This arrangement is not on my site because it is too recent and I cannot publish without Mr Fisher's and G. Brooker's authorization . It is not easy to find their e-mail.
On the other hand, I can give you the score. In exchange, I wish to receive an audio recording or video of this part of your recital. Communicate me your e-mail address.
J-Paul