It is five years ago this month that we lost Edward Aldwell to injuries sustained in a most tragic accident. I had known of Aldwell long before my association with Mannes, through his work with Carl Schachter on the influential textbook Harmony and Voice Leading, and through his recordings and pianistic reputation. I remember him for those achievements, of course; though his playing was not everyone's cup of tea, there is no one who could (or would) deny his mastery of the material, his artistic vision and credibility, and the honest and unaffected manner in which he communicated this vision.

But the thing which stays with me most is Aldwell the man. Though I was naturally known to the faculty at Mannes as a student, our paths did not really cross at any point; I never had him in class, and I was not a piano major. So it was quite a shock when one day outside the school he said hello to me (by name! "Hello, Eric") and asked me how I was, what I was up to, etc. Though taken aback, we had a lovely conversation, happily the first of many. He was warm, smart, caring, and generous with his time, and I was literally always happy to see him.

This month's clip is of Aldwell playing what he was most-renowned for as a performer: the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, just one composer near-and-dear to his heart. Though the excerpt is from Book I, he did record both books; they are revelatory recordings, and a must-have for Bach enthusiasts.