Discovering the Baroque

Started by chrisinsuffolk, June 14, 2024, 01:09:47 PM

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chrisinsuffolk

June 14, 2024, 01:09:47 PM Last Edit: June 16, 2024, 11:27:59 AM by chrisinsuffolk
Hello everyone, I hope you are good!

I have spent a lot of time researching and listening to Bach cantatas as well as other works, culminating in the playlist below. I like others arrived at Baroque music after going round the houses in classical/romantic etc music and WOW after I began exploring beyond the favorites my mind was officially blown by the quality and sublime beauty of so many works from the (150 years!) of the Baroque era. I feel very lucky we have this music and amazing recordings to enjoy.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5PoCStl1p2KypDNfHjpM9j

If you have any opinions and/or thoughts I would love to hear them!

You all take care, and thanks for your time!

lunar22

#1
June 22, 2024, 03:37:22 AM
I'm afraid I've never been a great fan of the Baroque era although I do enjoy singing some Bach for instance and especially love Zelenka's "Missa Votiva" -- in general that composer's quirkiness appeals more than the staid Protestants like Bach, Schütz etc. I miss the greater instrumental and harmonic flexibility of the late romantic which is really my period.

Perhaps other members will be inspired to contradict me with some of their favourite Baroque works!

71 dB

#2
June 22, 2024, 04:03:51 AM
The baroque era is a somewhat overlooked cornucopia of greatness. Personally I am especially fond of North German mid to late baroque, but there is a lot more than that of course.  :)
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Jo498

#3
June 22, 2024, 04:47:50 AM
The baroque period is also 150 years of rather diverse music, not only German Lutherans. And Bach and Schütz are 3 generations apart and quite different from each other, and both were influenced by Italian music...
Tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.
- Blaise Pascal

San Antone

#4
June 22, 2024, 05:30:55 AM
The Baroque period is a mixed bag. While I love Bach I can hardly tolerate Vivaldi. 

lunar22

#5
June 22, 2024, 08:11:32 AM
Quote from: Jo498 on June 22, 2024, 04:47:50 AMThe baroque period is also 150 years of rather diverse music, not only German Lutherans

exactly what I was getting at. Of course Schütz, Schein and Scheidt -- all widely performed (which means they are almost unavoidable in choirs) in my adopted 2nd city of Bach (Stuttgart) after Leipzig come at the opposite end of the Baroque period to Bach but that doesn't make them generally more appealing. And Italian or Italian influenced Baroque does equally little for me. The era is indeed musically very diverse but within limits -- it's far less diverse I would argue than the first half of the 20th century where most of my favourites reside.

Naturally, this is not any sort of critique of this music itself but only of my reactions to it.

Karl Henning

#6
June 22, 2024, 08:36:43 AM
Quote from: lunar22 on June 22, 2024, 03:37:22 AMI'm afraid I've never been a great fan of the Baroque era although I do enjoy singing some Bach for instance and especially love Zelenka's "Missa Votiva" -- in general that composer's quirkiness appeals more than the staid Protestants like Bach, Schütz etc. I miss the greater instrumental and harmonic flexibility of the late romantic which is really my period.

Perhaps other members will be inspired to contradict me with some of their favourite Baroque works!
The Scarlatti keyboard sonatas, which have always engaged pianists, and Monteverdi's Vespro della beata Vergine.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Cato

#7
June 23, 2024, 07:39:48 AM
Try Rameau!


He is Très Rameauntique!   ;)





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DavidW

#8
June 23, 2024, 08:56:03 AM
Welcome Chris to gmg!  There are plenty of baroque threads, especially Bach ones if you wish to jump in.

Karl Henning

#9
June 23, 2024, 09:32:32 AM
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Florestan

#10
June 23, 2024, 10:14:29 AM
Italian/Italianate, French and Austrian Baroque rocks, Northern German Baroque sucks. Vivaldi over Bach for me. ;D
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

prémont

#11
June 23, 2024, 10:18:47 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 23, 2024, 10:14:29 AMItalian/Italianate, French and Austrian Baroque sucks, Northern German Baroque sucks. Vivaldi over Bach for me. ;D

Well, Vivaldi is a great composer (I agree) but compared to Bach he sucks.
Any so-called free choice is only a choice between the available options.

prémont

#12
June 23, 2024, 10:22:48 AM
Quote from: chrisinsuffolk on June 14, 2024, 01:09:47 PMHello everyone, I hope you are good!

I have spent a lot of time researching and listening to Bach cantatas as well as other works, culminating in the playlist below. I like others arrived at Baroque music after going round the houses in classical/romantic etc music and WOW after I began exploring beyond the favorites my mind was officially blown by the quality and sublime beauty of so many works from the (150 years!) of the Baroque era. I feel very lucky we have this music and amazing recordings to enjoy.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5PoCStl1p2KypDNfHjpM9j

If you have any opinions and/or thoughts I would love to hear them!

You all take care, and thanks for your time!

Welcome to the forum.  :)

While I share your interest in most of the composers on your list, I dont share your interest in the recordings you recommend. But this is another story.
Any so-called free choice is only a choice between the available options.

Florestan

#13
June 23, 2024, 10:23:53 AM
Quote from: prémont on June 23, 2024, 10:18:47 AMWell, Vivaldi is a great composer (I agree) but compared to Bach he sucks.

Which Bach? Johann Sebastian or Jacques Offen?
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

Florestan

#14
June 23, 2024, 10:25:58 AM
Quote from: prémont on June 23, 2024, 10:22:48 AMWhile I share your interest in most of the composers on your list, I dont share your interest in the recordings you recommend.

GMG in a nutshell...  ;D
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

prémont

#15
June 23, 2024, 10:26:58 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 23, 2024, 10:25:58 AMGMG in a nutshell...  ;D


So true!  :D
Any so-called free choice is only a choice between the available options.

prémont

#16
June 23, 2024, 10:27:55 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 23, 2024, 10:23:53 AMWhich Bach? Johann Sebastian or Jacques Offen?

The one you referred to above, of course.
Any so-called free choice is only a choice between the available options.

Florestan

#17
June 23, 2024, 10:35:13 AM
Quote from: prémont on June 23, 2024, 10:27:55 AMThe one you referred to above, of course.

Okay, it's still Vivaldi for me.  ;)
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

chrisinsuffolk

#18
June 23, 2024, 01:58:42 PM Last Edit: June 24, 2024, 12:54:25 PM by chrisinsuffolk
Thank you so much all for a warm reception and your suggestions will I will be poring over!

:)

DavidW

#19
June 23, 2024, 03:32:41 PM
Quote from: Florestan on June 23, 2024, 10:25:58 AMGMG in a nutshell...  ;D

You like baroque?  Yes, me too!
You like Bach?  Yes, me too!
You like his cantatas?  Yes, me too!
You like them on period instruments?  Yes, me too!
You like that PI to be from the dutch school? Yes, me too!
You like Herreweghe?  Yes, me too!
You like the HM or the Phi recordings?  What the Phi!?!  No, get lost freak! ;D
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