Improvisation on a Bach Chorale (live at Überschlag Festival) BWV 153-9

Recorded live on August 20, 2026 at the Überschlag Festival (Hannover, Germany). Johann Sebastian Bach BWV 153-9 "Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid" This performance was recorded by NDR Radio and the complete concert will air in the fall of 2026. Thanks to Yamaha for providing the instruments! I'm using the Schlagkraft "Big Mama" Medium mallets in this concert. This was the opening piece I performed in my solo concert at this year's Überschlag Festival, which is a festival dedicated to percussion of all kinds - there were so many incredible performers and students there! This Bach chorale is BWV 153-9 - and I tried to find as many ways to play with it as I could. To prepare for this concert, I played it in all keys, tried different rhythmic feels, used alternative bass lines, meters, etcetera.. It's difficult to find the right balance when preparing for a concert like this - on the one hand I really want to know the piece through and through.. both physically and mentally. But at the same time if I play it too much in the days before the gig, I will feel a little burnt out on it and it won't be "fresh" for improvisation. So I actually spent the days before practicing jazz standards - and letting myself just get lost in the instrument so that everything would feel fluid and natural. I walked on stage without a preconceived notion of how I would start - I just grabbed the mallets and dropped them on the instrument. For me this helps me relax - I don't like to "think" and play at the same time. Everything should happen naturally. And if I've fully internalized a piece of music, I should be able to get it to come out naturally. I think this one went well - there are a few places in the middle where I think I was searching a bit longer than I would have like to, but that's part of the process. I hope you enjoy this recording! -Tim #marimba #vibraphone #jsbach