Best Minor Revisions Podcasts (2025)

1
E63: Breaking Down the May Revise Budget w/ Tom Sheehy 56:42

8d ago56:42

56:42

Assemblyman Josh Hoover and budget expert Tom Sheehy discuss a number of topics including the Governor’s May Revise budget, a legislative victory for protecting minors, LA’s $30 minimum wage proposal, a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful’s thoughts on high-speed rail, and other stories of the week. Host: Assemblyman Josh Hoover Cohost: Tom Sheehy, Sh…

1
Bach as A Minor in a minor. 1:06:55

9d ago1:06:55

1:06:55

Yep. I based an entire episode on the pun. We study two works not usually heard in the organ repertoire, the Prelude (Fantasy) BWV 569 and the Prelude with Fugue BWV 551, both in a minor. These are not the best known pieces in the repertoire, but they command our attention—especially when you consider that one of them was written when Bach was just…

1
E62: Protecting Minors and Improving Literacy w/ Asm. Jeff Gonzalez 40:00

23d ago40:00

40:00

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Jeff Gonzalez discuss a number of topics including a bill that will further increase the cost of fuel in California, legislation that will impact solar customers, improving literacy in our state, defending school choice, protecting 16 and 17 year olds from being purchased for sex, and other stories of the week. Host:…

1
Alleluia! Bach's Jubilant Ululation. 1:02:38

29d ago1:02:38

1:02:38

The oldest surviving (ca. 1100) German church melody is centered around Easter and the resurrection: Christ ist erstanden. Luther adapted this into Christ lag in Todesbanden. Both texts culminate in a triumphant “Hallelujah!” What kind of music could Bach compose for such a joyous word? In every instance, it demands a distinctly exalted treatment. …

1
E61: Refinery Closures, AI Chatbots, and Katy Perry’s Space Ride 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

Assemblyman Josh Hoover and his team discuss a number of topics including the impacts of another refinery closure in California, a new effort to unionize ride share drivers, AI chatbots, the future of Cap and Trade, new polling from Politico, Katy Perry’s trip to space, and other stories of the week. Host: Assemblyman Josh Hoover Cohosts: Sara Hill…

1
Bach’s St. John Passion: Which Version? 1:04:26

1M ago1:04:26

1:04:26

Today, Good Friday 2025, marks 300 years since Bach performed the St. John Passion in Leipzig. … but it started like this: But wait, I thought the St. John Passion was: In this episode, beyond outlining the basic revisions between the 1724 and 1725 (and a few other) versions of BWV 245, we’ll study how people heard passion music, the purpose of a p…

1
E60: Dems Leave X, Gas Price Study, and a New Legislator Interview w/ Asm. David Tangipa 51:21

2M ago51:21

51:21

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and David Tangipa discuss a number of topics including David’s roots in North Highlands to his time playing football at Fresno State, the Assembly Democrats’ eXodus, a new bill that would provide a CEQA exemption for housing, what’s really driving California’s sky high gas prices, the harms caused by “harm reduction,” th…

1
E59: Bears, Insurance, and a New Legislator Interview w/ Asm. Heather Hadwick 52:11

2M ago52:11

52:11

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Heather Hadwick discuss a number of topics including Heather’s journey to the Legislature, bears & wolves, MLB opening day, solving the insurance crisis, CalFire’s new fire hazard maps, another proposed PG&E rate increase, the Menendez brothers resentencing, the COVID 5-year anniversary, Newsom mailing phones to CEOs…

1
Baroque Keyboardists Weren’t Specialists—They Played Everything 1:03:31

2M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

The organ held a central role in the life of a baroque keyboardist. Not only was an accomplished harpsichordist or clavichordist comfortable playing with their feet, but the art suggests that the repertoire often called for ad libitum pedal additions. In J.S. Bach’s second collection of chorale prelude for organ, he introduces obligato pedal parts.…

1
The 'Actus Tragicus' BWV 106 59:50

3M ago59:50

59:50

A beloved cantata from Bach’s early 20s, the Actus Tragicus anticipates the future of opera more than it foreshadows Bach’s own later cantatas. Albert Schweitzer’s beautiful writing on Bach features heavily in this episode. Here is the tuning video with chorale in question toward the end of the episode: WTF Bach is a listener-supported publication.…

1
E58: Agriculture, Newsom’s New Podcast, and a New Legislator Interview w/ Asm. Ali Macedo 57:46

3M ago57:46

57:46

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Ali Macedo discuss a number of topics including Ali’s journey to the Legislature, the importance of supporting agriculture, new homelessness data from the nonpartisan LAO, a bill that would fundamentally change self-defense law in California, a new Assembly report on permitting reform, and their reactions to Governor…

1
Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis. An Audiobook. 1:09:18

3M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

The bard— not the brook, but don’t worry, this podcast isn’t going to become an English lesson. Thanks for reading WTF Bach! This post is public so feel free to share it. Here is my reading of Shakespeare’s first publication, Venus and Adonis, a poem that is pure music. If I were to list my favorite lines, I might as well copy out half the poem. Ju…

1
E57: Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Steve Jobs, and Bigfoot w/ Asm. Greg Wallis 1:00:02

3M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Greg Wallis discuss a number of topics including how the state’s low carbon fuel standard harms affordability, the legislative bill deadline, natural gas bans, a big city shift on homelessness, enforcing Prop. 36, Californians support of high speed rail, state-owned oil refineries, new baseball rules, Bigfoot, and ot…

1
MiniSeries! 10: The Final Episode 19:29

3M ago19:29

19:29

UPDATE: One of my astute listeners pointed out that it is in fact Jones’ review of Butler’s work in Music & Letters, and the original work by Butler is this book. Thanks for the correction! Don’t miss the end of this episode where I play three of Bach’s earlier settings of the same tune, BWVs 700, 701, & 738! We finish our study of this late master…

1
E56: Special Session Recap, Super Bowl Reactions, and a New Legislator Interview w/ Asm. Jeff Gonzalez 50:19

4M ago50:19

50:19

Assemblyman Josh Hoover interviews newly elected Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez and they discuss a number of topics including why Jeff ran for office, their Super Bowl reactions, a recap of Special Session, making wildfires a priority, California’s falling test scores, and other stories of the week. Host: Assemblyman Josh Hoover Cohost: Assemblyman Jeff…

1
MiniSeries! 9: Revisions Part Two 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

Today, as we did in episode 5 of this miniseries, we’ll examine the revisions Bach made from engraving copy to handwritten copy. This is an important view into the composer’s workshop, and unlike clear ameliorations between layers in his other works, the two versions of BWV 769 present a unique challenge in seeking the “best” version. Changes like …

1
MiniSeries! 8: A Bachian Fractal 20:51

4M ago20:51

20:51

Show me a finale as densely packed with thematic material as this one. Here are the five bars — the only five bars — discussed in today’s episode. You might listen while looking at them: Notice the finale comes in two stages, first diminution, then stretto. The signature in the final bar is noteworthy (though it should be mentioned that the letters…

1
MiniSeries! 7: Canon at MOVING Intervals 16:50

4M ago16:50

16:50

Have a look at this. This is Bach beginning a canon in inversion. The follower is a 6th below the leader: (If you can’t see that the shapes are inversions, hold up a mirror — seriously!) Yet here, only a few bars later, the imitation seems to be at a different interval: The follower is no longer a sixth below, but a third. How rare! And going on, s…

1
E55: 2025 Predictions, Inauguration, and Wildfire Prevention w/ Asm. Joe Patterson 56:12

4M ago56:12

56:12

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Joe Patterson discuss a number of topics including their predictions for 2025, Joe’s inauguration trip, Governor Newsom’s brief meeting with President Trump in Southern California, the ongoing legislative special session, wildfire prevention, the TikTok ban, and other stories of the week. Host: Assemblyman Josh Hoove…

1
MiniSeries! 6: A Sloth Canon 23:30

4M ago23:30

23:30

Imagine composing an ornate melody, then stretching it out so it moves twice as slow, and somehow when you layer the stretched version onto the original, they match up beautifully: One shape, two different speeds. This is what Bach has done in this canon (but he also made sure that the consequence of both lines also blends into the harmonic implica…

1
E54: Governor’s Budget, LA Fires & Social Media Censorship w/ Tom Sheehy 57:07

4M ago57:07

57:07

Assemblyman Josh Hoover and budget expert Tom Sheehy discuss a number of topics including the Governor’s budget release, LA’s devastating fires, the Supermajority’s special session, Zuckerberg on censorship, New Year’s resolutions, and other stories of the week. Host: Assemblyman Josh Hoover Cohost: Tom Sheehy, Sheehy Strategy Group Devastating fir…

1
MiniSeries! 5: Canonic Revisions Part One 22:06

5M ago22:06

22:06

The subject of the last several episodes has been Bach’s canonic variations on a Christmas tune by Martin Luther himself. A major inquiry into this work is its existence in two versions: engraved and handwritten. The published version (for reasons explained in the episode) doesn’t fully solve the canonic lines, as seen here: Notice how the notes of…

1
MiniSeries! 4: Feet & LH, a 7th Apart 18:44

5M ago18:44

18:44

Let’s delve into a third variation from Bach’s 1747 masterpiece, “Some canonic variations on the Christmas song, ‘From Heaven Above’ for the organ with two keyboards and pedal, by J.S. Bach.” Two versions of this piece exist: the ‘fair copy’ and the ‘publication’ (Stichfassung), which present the variations in a different order. In this episode, we…

1
Is Pachelbel's Canon Really a Canon? 17:21

5M ago17:21

17:21

I never knew the authentic version of the world’s most famous canon, having only known arrangements which conceal the fact that the music is indeed a canon in three voices. Here is what the ‘real’ canon looks like: It continues for over 50 bars as a three voice canon at the unison. In my brief survey of this piece, I found one theory that suggests …

1
MiniSeries! 3: A Canon At The Fifth 16:27

5M ago16:27

16:27

Continuing our mini-series exploring Bach’s canonic variations on the Christmas song, ‘Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her’ BWV 769, we listen to the second canon: a canon at the perfect fifth. Here is what the initial shape looks like in the right hand: So the same shape must be imitated down the perfect fifth. It appears like this in the left hand: I…

1
MiniSeries! 2: Divine Row Row Row Your Boat 18:55

6M ago18:55

18:55

The first variation in these late variations for organ, is a canon at the octave. The two hands, each on a separate keyboard, play the same shape, one octave apart, while the feet provide the chorale melody. It looks like this: Those are the first three measures of 18 measures. That’s right: the shape is imitated note for note for 18 bars! If you’r…

1
E53: California Forestry Association 47:59

6M ago47:59

47:59

In the final episode of the year Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Matt Dias, CEO and President of the California Forestry Association, to discuss the current state of California’s forests, the benefits of biomass, and how responsible forest management can help us reduce catastrophic wildfires.Point of Order will return with new episodes in 2025…

1
MiniSeries! 1: Bach's Christmas Puzzles 21:04

6M ago21:04

21:04

In this first of several related episodes, we will learn about Bach’s late contrapuntal masterpiece, the Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her, BWV 769. The variations— although certainly not as familiar— should be considered alongside Bach’s other late achievements, the Goldberg Variations, The Art of Fugue, and A Musical Offering…

1
Bach Pulls Out His Dagger. 29:57

6M ago29:57

29:57

Since I was a child I’ve known the story of Bach pulling out a blade. What really happened? In this short episode, I read the contemporary reports from the Arnstadt Consistory Court, where this famous fisticuffs was first recorded. About halfway through the episode (14 minutes), I’ve given you some “chill” chorales, played over a drone. One of my l…

1
E52: A Conversation with Yondr CEO Graham Dugoni 47:17

7M ago47:17

47:17

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Yondr CEO Graham Dugoni to discuss a number of topics including the value of phone-free spaces, the impact technology has on our daily lives, and how phone-free schools are transforming education.By Josh Hoover

1
The Urtext Illusion: Textual Variance in Bach's "Aria Variata" BWV 989 54:12

7M ago54:12

54:12

Last week I posted this piece on YouTube: The most intriguing part of studying this piece was the overwhelming amount of differences between the three earliest sources of this work. Here is a list of the sources I reference in the episode , the copyists, and when they were made: The ‘Andreas Bach Book’ (D-LE III.8.4) J. Christoph Bach; copyist, bet…

1
E51: Californians Against Retail & Residential Theft 50:08

7M ago50:08

50:08

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Matt Ross with Californians Against Retail & Residential Theft (CARRT) to discuss a number of topics including important statistics on retail theft in California, stories of those who have been impacted, what policies led to the current situation, and what we can do to fix it.…

1
E50: Rock Climbing, Sheet Metal Workers, and the Top 3 Historical TV Shows 1:01:59

8M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Vince Sugrue, Legislative Director for Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 104, to discuss a number of topics including the Oakland sports drama, rock climbing, the sheet metal profession and apprenticeships, the history of prevailing wage, the future of commercial infrastructure, and the Top 3 historical TV min…

1
Passion Music for His Son: The F Minor Sinfonia, BWV 795 33:55

8M ago33:55

33:55

Yes, that recording at the end is none other than Jascha Heifetz with Primrose and Piatigorksy, who apparently recorded three of the sinfonias. The wonderful pianist with that golden sound playing before the string trio arrangement is (I think!) Marcelle Meyer recorded sometime around 1948. WTF Bach needs your support! Consider becoming a subscribe…

1
E49: Special Session and the Top Bills Signed or Vetoed by Governor Newsom in 2024 53:43

8M ago53:43

53:43

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by his Capitol Director Teresa Trujillo to discuss a number of topics including the Governor’s special session on gas prices, some of the top bills Newsom signed by the September 30th deadline, and some of the main bills he chose to veto.By Josh Hoover

1
E48: Bipartisanship and Social Media w/ Josh Lowenthal 58:44

8M ago58:44

58:44

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Josh Lowenthal discuss a number of topics including developing consensus in a divided Legislature, how to work effectively across the aisle, what high school was like with Snoop Dogg and Cameron Diaz in Long Beach, concerns with the Appropriations process, managing legislative caucuses with diverse interests, the har…

1
Fantasy & Fugue in C minor BWV 537 46:34

8M ago46:34

46:34

Becoming familiar with Bach’s music is a never-ending process. First, there is the initial reading, which alone can occupy many happy years. What’s remarkable is that with each further reading, you’re astonished by the details you missed before—quite honestly amazed. You ask yourself: Where—or even who—was I during those earlier readings? You begin…

1
E47: Marathons, Apprenticeships, and the Top 10 Marvel Movies 53:31

9M ago53:31

53:31

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Matthew Estipona, Director of Government and Community Engagement for ABC NorCal, to discuss a number of topics including ultra marathons, housing construction, apprenticeships, and our top 10 favorite movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!By Josh Hoover

1
Anyone Else Getting Married? 41:02

9M ago41:02

41:02

In this episode, we’ll explore Bach’s constant involvement with weddings. Weddings and funerals occupied a weekly place in Bach’s life in Leipzig and we’ll shed light on the various ways in which he was involved musically. [I forgot to credit the last recording in this episode to Rudolph Lutz and the J.S. Bach foundation.] Here are (some of) the be…

1
E46: End of Session, Journalism Bill, and Gen Z’s Distrust of Government 54:52

9M ago54:52

54:52

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by his Capitol Director Teresa Trujillo to discuss a number of topics including the last week of legislative session, his bill to increase accountability over homelessness spending, the Phone-Free Schools Act, the revival of a bill to expand early prison release, a deal on an effort to fund journalism, Generation Z…

1
E45: Appropriations Aftermath and Advice from a Departing Legislator 51:43

9M ago51:43

51:43

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Senator Scott Wilk to discuss a number of topics including Wilk’s thoughts as a departing legislator, last week’s appropriations suspense hearing, smartphones in schools, homeless encampment enforcement, Governor Newsom’s $200,000 photographer, and the growing bipartisan support for Proposition 36.…

1
E44: Olympics Recap, Senator Flips Parties, and a New Homelessness Audit 48:22

10M ago48:22

48:22

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Heath Flora discuss a number of topics including the best moments in the 2024 Olympic Games, Southwest’s announcement to abandon open seating, a State Senator’s decision to switch parties, a new federal audit on California’s homelessness dollars, the Legislature’s organized retail theft bills, the impact of Chevron l…

1
The 3rd Keyboard Partita (A Crucial Revision) 22:01

10M ago22:01

22:01

A brief(er) episode for you today: Bach’s first published opus was his six partitas for keyboard. In some of the sources within Bach’s circle, copies retained as a ‘Handexemplar’ include revisions by a scribe we can almost say with certainty is Bach himself. The most consequential of these revisions appears at the end of the third partita, where th…

1
E43: Session Returns, Prop. 47 Audit, and Newsom’s Encampment Order 30:44

10M ago30:44

30:44

Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Greg Wallis discuss a number of topics including the return of legislative session, a recently released audit of Prop. 47, Governor Newsom’s new executive order on homeless encampments, a new study on the number of 24-35 years olds living with their parents, and a new report on meeting California’s 2045 energy goals.…

1
Performer's Commentary, Vol. 3 53:07

10M ago53:07

53:07

The final performer’s commentary episode for you. This is live commentating (the program notes of the future) on the last of my three simultaneous releases. This album is a bunch of preludes and fugues— some maybe you know, some maybe you don’t. You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer’s commentary from the third v…

1
No One Ever Erected a Statue to a Critic (Bach vs. Scheibe) 36:19

10M ago36:19

36:19

Johann Adolph Scheibe went down in history for attacking Bach’s “turgid and confused” style. “…from the natural to the artificial, and from the lofty to the obscure ... one wonders at the painful labor of it all, that nevertheless comes to nothing, since it is at variance with reason.” Let’s examine the controversy from the beginning. How To Suppor…

1
Mi Fa, et Fa Mi est tota musica (BWV 1078) 32:59

11M ago32:59

32:59

On March 1, 1749, Bach penned the following into a Stammbuch: Today’s episode covers this canon in depth. What does it mean? How does it sound? Here is a link to the article by scholar, Anatoly Milka. The book, Bach and the meaning of Counterpoint, by David Yearsley is available here. How To Support This Podcast: https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https…

1
E42: AMA, Grants Pass Decision, and an Imposter Initiative 1:06:34

11M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by his team to discuss the fate of a bill to give unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers, the passage of PAGA reform, the Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling, the Governor’s last minute Hail Mary on retail theft, and an “ask me anything” segment answering questions from constituents.…

1
E41: Breaking Down the PAGA Deal 28:03

11M ago28:03

28:03

Assemblyman Josh Hoover is joined by Ashley Hoffman, Senior Policy Advocate on Labor and Employment at the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber), to discuss the legislative agreement reached to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and provide long-awaited relief to California businesses.…

1
Performer's Commentary, Vol. 2 37:46

11M ago37:46

37:46

Another performer’s commentary episode for you. If you’ve missed out on the second of my three simultaneous releases, you’ll have a chance to listen to it here, with my live commentary. You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer’s commentary from the second volume here. —More streaming links (including youtube playli…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Minor Revisions Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen