Well Mari, it’s a small world. My good friend, the distinguished Bach scholar Michael Marissen, also thinks the Bach B minor mass is the greatest piece ever written. So I’m inclined to agree with the two of you. Although Beethoven’s ninth does make a strong showing.
And you were right, the Gratias is one of the strongest of a very, very strong bunch. So much that Bach used it twice in the Mass as you know.
I too have sung the B Minor several times. Always a sublime experience. by the way, Michael’s wife, the novelist Lauren Belfer, is the author of the novel I quoted the other day. “Ashton Hall” – I’d call it a must read for fiction buffs.
Which voice part do you sing? I have sung alto 1 and 2, but I would love to sing the piece again as a soprano 2. And as for the gratias agimus tibi/Dona nobis pacem, a director once told me that it is the densest fugue ever written, with the most entrances of the subject in the fewest number of measures total.
I don’t sing any of the voice parts you mentioned! 😹 I used to be a bass-baritone, but they say as you get older, your voice gets lower, and that’s the way it’s been with mine: true bass at this point.
Speaking of recommendations, if you’re really into Bach choral music, you owe it to yourself to get the complete cantatas conducted by Masaaki (sp?) Suzuki on Bis. Fantastic.
The density of a fugue is not a parameter I’ve ever heard discussed before. That’s fascinating: I’ll have to mention it to Michael -- I’m supposed to have pizza with him and another musicologist friend on Tuesday. #Realmusicologistseatpizza. 😉
I did sing it with you! It was one of my very favorite pieces we sang together. The only reason I didn’t post a link to the song was that I couldn’t find a performance I liked. (Male altos: ugh!)
Well Mari, it’s a small world. My good friend, the distinguished Bach scholar Michael Marissen, also thinks the Bach B minor mass is the greatest piece ever written. So I’m inclined to agree with the two of you. Although Beethoven’s ninth does make a strong showing.
And you were right, the Gratias is one of the strongest of a very, very strong bunch. So much that Bach used it twice in the Mass as you know.
I too have sung the B Minor several times. Always a sublime experience. by the way, Michael’s wife, the novelist Lauren Belfer, is the author of the novel I quoted the other day. “Ashton Hall” – I’d call it a must read for fiction buffs.
Thanks for the book recommendation!
Which voice part do you sing? I have sung alto 1 and 2, but I would love to sing the piece again as a soprano 2. And as for the gratias agimus tibi/Dona nobis pacem, a director once told me that it is the densest fugue ever written, with the most entrances of the subject in the fewest number of measures total.
Ashton Hall is terrific.
I don’t sing any of the voice parts you mentioned! 😹 I used to be a bass-baritone, but they say as you get older, your voice gets lower, and that’s the way it’s been with mine: true bass at this point.
Speaking of recommendations, if you’re really into Bach choral music, you owe it to yourself to get the complete cantatas conducted by Masaaki (sp?) Suzuki on Bis. Fantastic.
The density of a fugue is not a parameter I’ve ever heard discussed before. That’s fascinating: I’ll have to mention it to Michael -- I’m supposed to have pizza with him and another musicologist friend on Tuesday. #Realmusicologistseatpizza. 😉
Ok Mari -- here’s a link for you. Well, it’s not here, but not far away…
Happy Thanksgiving! What a beautiful spot for a swing.
Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Happy Thanksgiving, Mari! I look forward to listening to the Bach later when I’m cooking!
Wonderful! Enjoy!
What a beautiful piece of music! Your posts are always such a joy to read. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family, Erin!
P.s. I am now singing in my head “ I thank you god”!!!! Did you sing that one at the Lincoln Center with Schola? What an experience that was!!
I did sing it with you! It was one of my very favorite pieces we sang together. The only reason I didn’t post a link to the song was that I couldn’t find a performance I liked. (Male altos: ugh!)