I'm on the same page--can't often get past the heavy religious context of his Cantatas, Passions, and Mass. But Professor Robert Greenberg in his The Teaching Company/now on Audible lectures on Bach ("Bach and the High Baroque") fortunately clued me into "The Coffee Cantata", which he covered in depth.
Thanks, Dave, for this review. I agree wholeheartedly. There is no finer exponent of HIP Bach than Maasaki Suzuki. I have been exploring Bach's output, including his cantatas, since my youth. I have heard at one time or another all of the complete sacred Cantata cycles, and all of the complete surveys of the secular Cantatas. In my opinion, Suzuki is the best at getting to the heart of the matter and conveying the beauty, and exhilaration, of the music. For those who prefer modern instruments and a more traditional approach to the Secular Cantatas, I can strongly recommend a series with outstanding singers directed by Peter Schreier, available at rock-bottom price from Brilliant Classics. For those who want to see or hear Bach's Cantatas, sacred and secular, in live performances, check out the Netherlands Bach Society and the Bach-Stiftung. Both can be viewed on You Tube. The Netherlands Bach Society did an absolutely hilarious staging of the "Coffee" Cantata, by the way, bringing out it ribald humor and proving that Bach could have been a composer of comic operas.
Dave, I think referring to some of the sacred texts Bach set to music as "vile and philosophically repulsive" is a bit over the top. I'm curious to know what texts provoke such an extreme reaction. Can you give us an example?
David has given examples in the past, and quite convincingly so. And I must say I agree with him, "vile and philosophically repulsive" pretty much accurately describes some of that Lutheran stuff. But focus on the music and avoid the English translations.
I’d love this, but I’ve bought too much recently! Let’s see how the big set is priced in the UK “Lass, Fürstin” is the “Trauerode” and is quite difficult to do so I’d like to hear this one. People have used it to construct a lost St Mark Passion, and I remember being in the Albert Hall when Koopman was doing just that and Pregardien was doing the evangelist- recall having a moment when we caught each other’s eyes. In the end I felt the reconstruction was too speculative but it is what it is and that trauerode is in itself quite something
Thanks, I just ordered this. I find the secular texts and subjects much easier to take than many of the hell and damnation religious ones as well. The "Our Lord of the Manor is the Best Ever and we're so Lucky to be His Unworthy Worthless Servants and He Likes us Even though we Suck" aren't perfect, but you take what you can get for Bach's sake.
The Coffee Cantata is the one. All that Lutheran jazz is okay, but I BELIEVE in coffee.
And of course, coffee in Bach's time was proverbial as an aphrodisiac.
Bach’s sacred cantatas as Lutheran jazz - very drolly put.
At my age, caffeine is the only thing keeping me alive. 🥴
Yay! The Cantatas Schlep! I thought it was gone forever. I’m looking forward to these ones. I’m actually in the mood for some German rigor these days.
I am a nihilist so I’ve never minded Bach’s texts. Bach rocks, Dave! 🤘
I'm on the same page--can't often get past the heavy religious context of his Cantatas, Passions, and Mass. But Professor Robert Greenberg in his The Teaching Company/now on Audible lectures on Bach ("Bach and the High Baroque") fortunately clued me into "The Coffee Cantata", which he covered in depth.
I had the Greenberg lectures too and it really helped esp. with the Matthew Passion and Goldberg Variations.
Thanks, Dave, for this review. I agree wholeheartedly. There is no finer exponent of HIP Bach than Maasaki Suzuki. I have been exploring Bach's output, including his cantatas, since my youth. I have heard at one time or another all of the complete sacred Cantata cycles, and all of the complete surveys of the secular Cantatas. In my opinion, Suzuki is the best at getting to the heart of the matter and conveying the beauty, and exhilaration, of the music. For those who prefer modern instruments and a more traditional approach to the Secular Cantatas, I can strongly recommend a series with outstanding singers directed by Peter Schreier, available at rock-bottom price from Brilliant Classics. For those who want to see or hear Bach's Cantatas, sacred and secular, in live performances, check out the Netherlands Bach Society and the Bach-Stiftung. Both can be viewed on You Tube. The Netherlands Bach Society did an absolutely hilarious staging of the "Coffee" Cantata, by the way, bringing out it ribald humor and proving that Bach could have been a composer of comic operas.
"Tilge höchster, meine Sünden" is Bach's German adaptation of the Pergolesi Stabat Mater
Dave, I think referring to some of the sacred texts Bach set to music as "vile and philosophically repulsive" is a bit over the top. I'm curious to know what texts provoke such an extreme reaction. Can you give us an example?
David has given examples in the past, and quite convincingly so. And I must say I agree with him, "vile and philosophically repulsive" pretty much accurately describes some of that Lutheran stuff. But focus on the music and avoid the English translations.
@@mhc2231 It’s funny to think that the cantata part was actually the entertainment portion of those three- and four-hour services.
Can you give me an example then?
@@davidm6541 His discussion of the St. Matthew's Passion is one that comes to mind.
I’d love this, but I’ve bought too much recently! Let’s see how the big set is priced in the UK
“Lass, Fürstin” is the “Trauerode” and is quite difficult to do so I’d like to hear this one. People have used it to construct a lost St Mark Passion, and I remember being in the Albert Hall when Koopman was doing just that and Pregardien was doing the evangelist- recall having a moment when we caught each other’s eyes. In the end I felt the reconstruction was too speculative but it is what it is and that trauerode is in itself quite something
Yes - Suzuki much better than Gardiner in just about every way - better sound, better direction, more discerning.
Thanks, I just ordered this. I find the secular texts and subjects much easier to take than many of the hell and damnation religious ones as well. The "Our Lord of the Manor is the Best Ever and we're so Lucky to be His Unworthy Worthless Servants and He Likes us Even though we Suck" aren't perfect, but you take what you can get for Bach's sake.
I listen to metal, so I can handle some bleak lyrics from Bach as well.
What kind of metal?