The Hanoverian Kapellmeister VS. Il prete rosso

[karlhenning]

The Handel vs Bach poll thread by Corkin was a landslide victory for Bach (47-16 for Bach).   

I get a feeling a Vivaldi vs Bach thread could actually be a bit closer than that was.

*Ducks and runs dodging giant tomatoes* 

Inspired by Ray . . . I didn't think Vivaldi would necessarily fare that much better against Juggernaut Sebastian Bach ; ) but I was curious to poll a related bracketological question.

[Philoctetes]

Now here's a difficult poll, at least for me, but Vivaldi pulls it out in the end, for me.

[Brahmsian]

Inspired by Ray . . . I didn't think Vivaldi would necessarily fare that much better against Juggernaut Sebastian Bach ; ) but I was curious to poll a related bracketological question.

I love that nickname for JSB, Karl! 

[Brahmsian]

Let the flame wars commence! 

[karlhenning]

The thought of taking a Handel aria da capo and substituting the text You wanna play rough? Okay. Say hello to my little friend! is almost too delicious . . . .

[karlhenning]

Fair disclosure: a vote for Vivaldi was quite easy for me, too.

[Josquin des Prez]

Handel, by a pretty large margin.

[DavidW]

They both great oratorios, operas but Vivaldi has the edge in the concertos, Handel in the chamber... but what breaks the tie is the warhorse. The four seasons vs the Messiah.  Think about it is there any doubt as to who doms?

[Brahmsian]

Fair disclosure: a vote for Vivaldi was quite easy for me, too.

I haven't heard enough of either composer to put in a vote.  Right at this moment, I would have to give the nod to 'Juggernaut Bach', due to my being enthralled by the cello suites and book I'm reading.

As far as orchestral/concerti, I prefer Vivaldi.  I favor Bach on solo instrumental works.

I can't make any comments on the rest of either's oeuvre.



Oops, I thought this was a Bach vs. Vivaldi thread, and was wondering why people were mentioning Handel!!!   

Now that I've come to my senses and realize it is a Handel vs. Vivaldi thread, it is a no-brainer for me.

Vivaldi gets my vote.

[karlhenning]

I haven't heard enough of either composer to put in a vote.  Right at this moment, I would have to give the nod to 'Juggernaut Bach', due to my being enthralled by the cello suites and book I'm reading.

Oh, I'd have to select Bach over either H. or V.

[karlhenning]

Oops, I thought this was a Bach vs. Vivaldi thread, and was wondering why people were mentioning Handel!!!   

Now that I've come to my senses and realize it is a Handel vs. Vivaldi thread, it is a no-brainer for me.

Vivaldi gets my vote.

I must have misled you by my geographically loose use of Saxon.  I've altered it to Hanoverian.

[Josquin des Prez]

The fact Vivaldi is actually winning demonstrates how much this forum has been degrading this past few years.

[karlhenning]

The fact Vivaldi is actually winning demonstrates how much this forum has been degrading this past few years.

Oh, you're too funny!

[Josquin des Prez]

They both great oratorios, operas but Vivaldi has the edge in the concertos, Handel in the chamber... but what breaks the tie is the warhorse. The four seasons vs the Messiah.  Think about it is there any doubt as to who doms?

Handel's oratorios and operas are infinitely superior to Vivaldi's. The instrumental works of the first may not be among his best but the opus 6 matches anything written by the latter, and wins at least in terms of contrapuntal sophistication. The keyboard suites are also nothing to sneer at.

[Josquin des Prez]

Oh, you're too funny!

I know for certain people like jbuck would have never let it slide.

[DavidW]

The keyboard suites are also nothing to sneer at.

Even though most people don't like this recording, in particular I like this one:

[karlhenning]

Handel's oratorios and operas are infinitely superior to Vivaldi's. The instrumental works of the first may not be among his best but the opus 6 matches anything written by the latter, and wins at least in terms of contrapuntal sophistication. The keyboard suites are also nothing to sneer at.

All that is justifiably well put.  I wonder that you don't question the dogma that greater contrapuntal sophistication must mean "better music."

[The new erato]

I'm with Josquin here.

[Bulldog]

Looking at my record collection - hundreds of Handel, not one of Vivaldi.  That must mean I don't place much value on Vivaldi's music.  I gave all my Vivaldi to my daughter who loves his music, a win-win transfer.

[Josquin des Prez]

See, even dogs know best.