Bach

"Go Bach to sleep", is a project created by a Gothenburg organist, Jon Liinason, who wanted to lower the threshold to listening to organ music by creating a concept he called "rest in organ music", where he played still music by Bach on the organ while the listener could lie or sit down to listen or walk around in silence in the church, or pray, or meditate or...
The concept got a more fixed fundament after the first concerts, it's now in three parts, "Sleep", "Dream", "Awake" and the parts are presented by the priest, or anyone leading, giving three words or sentences to meditate over during the music. The link takes you to a short intervju with Jon, the organist and after 12 minutes follows about half an hour of restful organ music.

One of the church musicians in Torslunda church, close to where I live, was keen to try the idea in his church and meant to do it in 2020, when it wasn't possible to go through with it. But now, today, we got to hear his realisation of the basic idea. He played on the grand piano and alternating on the organ some calm music by Bach while the "audience" or listeners or participants, listened in what way we thought comfortable. Personally I brought a pillow and a blanket to lie down in the pews, closing my eyes or looking in the ceiling (extra). The event took about 45 minutes, afterwards everyone was invited to have a cup of hot chocolate and to stay around for a while to talk to each other or just stay around. There were over a hundred people gathered! Many more than anyone had thought beforehand and Christer, the organist, says that he will continue playing throughout more churches on Öland.

I have often talked to organists about similar ideas of offering calm music for listening or meditation, using the unique atmosphere and instruments of a church, without it being an organ concert with long, often complicated and powerful music. Finally there is a concept looking like what I had hoped for.

The evening was spent with friends having a sauna and some nice, friendly conversation.