After Bach II

After Bach II is the second installment in Brad Mehldau's ongoing exploration of J.S. Bach's influence on his own improvisational language. Released in 2024, the album intersperses direct performances of Bach's Preludes and Fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Partitas with Mehldau's original compositions ('After Bach') and variations. The centerpiece is the nearly 15-minute 'After Bach - Toccata,' which showcases Mehldau's ability to sustain complex polyphonic narratives over long durations. Critics from AllMusic and JazzThing noted the album's increased daring compared to its predecessor, particularly the 'Variations on Bach's Goldberg Theme,' which includes a surprising 'Breakbeat' variation. The recording is characterized by a dry, studio-intimate production that emphasizes the clarity of Mehldau's touch, a hallmark of his style. This album solidifies Mehldau's position not just as a jazz pianist, but as a significant contemporary thinker in the lineage of Western keyboard music.