RE: (western) classical music discussion
April 4, 2015 at 5:13 pm
(This post was last modified: April 4, 2015 at 5:53 pm by Alex K.)
It definitely is the music first, but the music often exploits dramatic aspects of the libretto, for example in SMP when the people announce whom they want pontius pilate to free, or right after JC is apprehended, there's this lamenting duet of soprano and alto with unexpected dramatic interjections by the choir pleading to let him go. This is very much fuelled by the drama in the text.
The words of the SMP are much better than catholic mass(I can't help it and understand them, obviously), because they mostly deal with actual action -- people scheming to get JC killed, JC complaining about his disciples' lack of commitment, JC getting ridiculed, or very abstract and poetic reflections that one can, with some goodwill, interpret non-dogmatically. In between there's some guilt tripping (Literally, it says Behold! What? Our guilt! in the splendid opening chorus. But when it comes with that kind of insane counterpoint, I can even forgive a guilt trip).
The final words are delivered very effectively - God, why hast thou forsaken me. Followed by earthquakes and zombies, a factual account of the burial by joseph and some laments. Nothing I find too objectionable
Picander and Bach really made the best of the weird material.
The words of the SMP are much better than catholic mass(I can't help it and understand them, obviously), because they mostly deal with actual action -- people scheming to get JC killed, JC complaining about his disciples' lack of commitment, JC getting ridiculed, or very abstract and poetic reflections that one can, with some goodwill, interpret non-dogmatically. In between there's some guilt tripping (Literally, it says Behold! What? Our guilt! in the splendid opening chorus. But when it comes with that kind of insane counterpoint, I can even forgive a guilt trip).
The final words are delivered very effectively - God, why hast thou forsaken me. Followed by earthquakes and zombies, a factual account of the burial by joseph and some laments. Nothing I find too objectionable
Picander and Bach really made the best of the weird material.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
