Bach: Cantata 106

[Philidor]

The greatest Bach Cantata?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ0VTKno-vg&feature=related"]YouTube - Johann Sebastian Bach - "Actus Tragicus" (1)[/ame]


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMybKraZ5-4&feature=related"]YouTube - Johann Sebastian Bach - "Actus Tragicus" (2)[/ame]



More on OedipusColoneus: http://2luo.com/user/OedipusColoneus

[Vivace]

That's in my top ten favourite music. Thank you. Lovely recording. Who are the (somewhat unfortunately named) OedipusColoneus? Except they've pitched it too high, not least because this may happen:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT4AhiiiON0"]YouTube - Kai Florian Bischoff - Actus Tragicus - BWV 106[/ame]

There's an old Gustav Leonhardt recording (which I can't find online - anyone?) with the Knabenchor Hannover. He pitches it about a tone down and uses boy sopranos and altos. More sucessful, but this one’s still a gem.

[flower]

That *is* pretty tragic

[Philidor]

Very mean whoever posted it on Youtube. Presumably a rival singer.

[andante]

What's the optimum size for a cantata choir? Too big and the lines are blurred, you end up with harmonic soup, especially if everyone's using vibrato, too small and there's no woomf. What forces did Bach use, or did it depend on what he had available?

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by andante

What's the optimum size for a cantata choir? Too big and the lines are blurred, you end up with harmonic soup, especially if everyone's using vibrato, too small and there's no woomf. What forces did Bach use, or did it depend on what he had available?

That reminds me. Not baroque but a good example of what too many cooks (in this case polygamous cooks from Utah) will do to a good broth.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvT03pxhe58"]YouTube - Barber: Agnus Dei[/ame]

Tsk! This piece requires PRECISION - not getting vast numbers of polygamists to go AHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAHHahhAH HahhAHHahh and hope for the best.

Admittedly it is a very bad recording.

[Herzeleide]

It does sound like genius compared to the Bangor MusSoc's version though.

[Florestan]

Yeah, they should really stick to Men of Harlech.

Or that one about a saucepan.

[Philidor]

Originally Posted by Florestan

Or that one about a saucepan.

:sad2:

[Wobbly Soprano]

Originally Posted by Florestan

polygamous cooks from Utah

LOL @ Florestan.

They are awful but I know exactly what's happening. There'll be some powerful ladies in that choir, pushing themselves forward, many in love with the dishy Mormon conductor, trilling away like billy-oh trying to get his attention and out-trill the competition. Result: a musical mess.

It's the conductor's fault. He's probably scared of them and their admiration tickles his male ego. He should get a grip, split the choir up into small groups during rehearsals, each managed by someone he trusts. They tell each group of matrons, in no uncertain terms, to stop warbling like broken vacuum cleaners, and sing their parts straight. They practice, one matron at a time if necessary, doing precisely that.

The conductor, in fetching black roll neck sweater with some nice aftershave, visits each rehearsal group, backs his tutors to the hilt, and does a bit of judicious flirting. The matrons flush with pleasure.

I've seen this technique used in two well known choirs, with the result that the ladies started competing to see who could sound most like Emma Kirkby.

Silly old Mormons!