You are, of course, right that the music often exploits dramatic aspects of the libretto in classical music. And, of course, Bach's St. Matthew's Passion has better words than Mozart's Requiem, though they serve different functions, so it isn't really a fair comparison.
You have gotten me to think about the words a bit more. I think with most classical music, it is actually better to not understand the words, particularly the religious music.
With Handel's Messiah, which is much loved in English speaking countries, probably because it is in English, I find understanding it to be detrimental. And I would think that, even if I were religious. Especially if I were religious. There is a very awkwardly grouped phrase that occurs in it. One hears "we like sheep," followed by "we like sheep." At that point, it causes me to think of bestiality or just an odd affection for sheep, that seems entirely out of place. Of course, it then continues, "have gone astray." With proper punctuation, it is, "we, like sheep, have gone astray," but that is not how it sounds, with the repeat of "we, like sheep," where the comma is not very emphasized.
Fortunately for me, I have never been much of a fan of the piece anyway, but it almost makes me laugh when they get to the "we like sheep, we like sheep" bit. It takes me out of the mood of the piece, and makes it less effective.
If I did not understand what they were singing, it would be better. I still would not like it that much, but it would be better if I did not understand what the words meant when they are singing.
You have gotten me to think about the words a bit more. I think with most classical music, it is actually better to not understand the words, particularly the religious music.
With Handel's Messiah, which is much loved in English speaking countries, probably because it is in English, I find understanding it to be detrimental. And I would think that, even if I were religious. Especially if I were religious. There is a very awkwardly grouped phrase that occurs in it. One hears "we like sheep," followed by "we like sheep." At that point, it causes me to think of bestiality or just an odd affection for sheep, that seems entirely out of place. Of course, it then continues, "have gone astray." With proper punctuation, it is, "we, like sheep, have gone astray," but that is not how it sounds, with the repeat of "we, like sheep," where the comma is not very emphasized.
Fortunately for me, I have never been much of a fan of the piece anyway, but it almost makes me laugh when they get to the "we like sheep, we like sheep" bit. It takes me out of the mood of the piece, and makes it less effective.
If I did not understand what they were singing, it would be better. I still would not like it that much, but it would be better if I did not understand what the words meant when they are singing.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
