Legendary Composer and Music Satirist Known as P.D.Q. Bach Dies at 88

Peter Schickele/ PDQ Bach — Peter Schickele (Photo via schickele.com)

The composer Peter Schickele died on January 16th.

Driving the news: On January 16th, the legendary composer and humorist Peter Schickele, most well-known under his alias P.D.Q. Bach, died at 88. Schickele won four Grammy awards for Best Comedy Album. His more serious works have been played by organizations including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Lark Quartet, as well as in films, on Broadway, and by folk singers Joan Baez and Buffy St. Marie.

Catch up: For those too young to remember Schickele’s alter ego, P.D.Q. Bach, P.D.Q. Self-identified as the youngest (and oddest) of Johann Sebastian Bach’s many children. His works include parodies of pieces by Philip Glass, Mozart, Bach, and many others. Other claims to fame include inventing the “dill piccolo” as well as other little-known instruments. PDQ’s works have been performed by an array of groups, including the Boston Pops.Digging deeper: Although Schickele was a renowned comedian, he was a frustrated composer. In 1988, he admitted to being jealous of the fame of his comedic alter-ego. In honour of his recent death, why not listen to both sides of Schickele.

Digging deeper: Although Schickele was a renowned comedian, he was a frustrated composer. In 1988, he admitted to being jealous of the fame of his comedic alter-ego. In honour of his recent death, why not listen to both sides of Schickele.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.