I recall reading that the weird album art is supposed to show that Bach's cantatas are universal, which I suppose means that even poor villagers in the mountains of some far-off country, as the cover art depicts, can appreciate them Well, not really. Bach's cantatas come from about as specific a time, place, culture, language, and musical tradition as you find in the Western musical canon. Someone from a different culture might respond to a Mozart serenade, but Bach's cantatas won't make much sense.
Agree with you here — I’ve been steeped in Western culture, but I often feel like I’m too far from 18th c Bavarian Lutheranism to fully grasp this sacred music.
That excerpt from BWV 109, solo soprano then joined by chorus, reminds me of the next to last movement of the St. Matthew, Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht, a moving recit in which each of the four solo voices sings a line or two, followed by the chorus, "Mein Jesu gute Nacht" (My Jesus, good night). At this point I usually burst into tears. That's just the recit before the heartbreaking final chorus.
2. Is there any explanation anywhere for the album cover art choices?????
3. Speaking as someone whose future as a musician was wrecked by one of my college professors, my reaction to hearing about Gardiner was, well, no surprise there. The rule rather than the exception. Power corrupts.
Thanks, Susan. Perhaps the album art is a tour around the world for all of the cantatas? No idea, really. Sorry to hear about your lousy experience in college -- the world missed out. At least you still have your love for the music.
Koopman, Herreweghe, Suzuki, Gardiner— they all have their ups and downs. But all are on a very high level. It’s hardly the case at least to my ears that the first three are great and Gardiner plods along behind them.
Also, if you had to love your conductor to produce great music for him there’s a whole swathe of mid century masters who would’ve fallen on their faces, like Toscanini, Szell , etc.
I think they loved Toscanini even though he was tough. He had such a strong vision for whatever he created. There seems to be nothing loveable about Gardiner besides his drive.
That said, I agree with you the whole Bach Cantata pilgrimage thing is odd. On the other hand, what else could he do? The point is to prove universal appeal and what better way than to use photos? That said, perhaps poorly thought out.
I recall reading that the weird album art is supposed to show that Bach's cantatas are universal, which I suppose means that even poor villagers in the mountains of some far-off country, as the cover art depicts, can appreciate them Well, not really. Bach's cantatas come from about as specific a time, place, culture, language, and musical tradition as you find in the Western musical canon. Someone from a different culture might respond to a Mozart serenade, but Bach's cantatas won't make much sense.
Agree with you here — I’ve been steeped in Western culture, but I often feel like I’m too far from 18th c Bavarian Lutheranism to fully grasp this sacred music.
That excerpt from BWV 109, solo soprano then joined by chorus, reminds me of the next to last movement of the St. Matthew, Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht, a moving recit in which each of the four solo voices sings a line or two, followed by the chorus, "Mein Jesu gute Nacht" (My Jesus, good night). At this point I usually burst into tears. That's just the recit before the heartbreaking final chorus.
I hear that!
1. I love your observation about BWV 200.
2. Is there any explanation anywhere for the album cover art choices?????
3. Speaking as someone whose future as a musician was wrecked by one of my college professors, my reaction to hearing about Gardiner was, well, no surprise there. The rule rather than the exception. Power corrupts.
Thanks, Susan. Perhaps the album art is a tour around the world for all of the cantatas? No idea, really. Sorry to hear about your lousy experience in college -- the world missed out. At least you still have your love for the music.
Koopman, Herreweghe, Suzuki, Gardiner— they all have their ups and downs. But all are on a very high level. It’s hardly the case at least to my ears that the first three are great and Gardiner plods along behind them.
Also, if you had to love your conductor to produce great music for him there’s a whole swathe of mid century masters who would’ve fallen on their faces, like Toscanini, Szell , etc.
I think they loved Toscanini even though he was tough. He had such a strong vision for whatever he created. There seems to be nothing loveable about Gardiner besides his drive.
I’m speaking from relative ignorance…
Ultimately these things are subjective, of course. Still, you might give Jeggy’s B minor Mass a go.
Thanks. I've been digging into Karajan's B Minor Mass, and will be writing that one up soon.
Interesting! Very different extreme of the HIP continuum.
That said, I agree with you the whole Bach Cantata pilgrimage thing is odd. On the other hand, what else could he do? The point is to prove universal appeal and what better way than to use photos? That said, perhaps poorly thought out.
I had completely forgotten about the punching incident!