What are you listening to?

[Diapason]

You've persuaded me to do the same, Fergus. Truthfully, I'm not getting much out of it, for some reason this music just doesn't float my boat. Strange really, you'd think it would be right up my street.

[Jared]

Currently listening to this....

I am SO wanting to get that disk... it'll just have to wait a while, though... :-(

[Jared]

You've persuaded me to do the same, Fergus. Truthfully, I'm not getting much out of it, for some reason this music just doesn't float my boat. Strange really, you'd think it would be right up my street.

are you referring to the Gesualdo, Simon?

[Seán]

Gosh, I spent a long time yesterday listening to Bach trying to get a handle on Saint Matthew Passion. I listened to these two:





I think that I prefer the Suzuki set but I don't know yet.

[Jared]

^^ how are you getting on with JSB, Sean?

speaking personally, I tackled Bach in this order...

Magnificat/ Easter Oratorio - Mass In B - Christmas - St John - St Matthew

which I think was right for me, in terms of length and accessibility of each work.. although that might not be right for everyone.

[Seán]

^^ how are you getting on with JSB, Sean?

speaking personally, I tackled Bach in this order...

Magnificat/ Easter Oratorio - Mass In B - Christmas - St John - St Matthew

which I think was right for me, in terms of length and accessibility of each work.. although that might not be right for everyone.

Jared, I love the Christmas Oratario and I do listen to the six parts over Christmas and New Year, they are short pieces. I have ony started listening to the St Matthew Passion and I do like it, but it's a very long piece. I listened to both performances yesterday, Bruggen and then Suzuki and when the Suzuki was complete I was all "Bached out". I returned to it this morning though before BAL, and as one might expect it does reward repeated listening.

[Diapason]

You've persuaded me to do the same, Fergus. Truthfully, I'm not getting much out of it, for some reason this music just doesn't float my boat. Strange really, you'd think it would be right up my street.

are you referring to the Gesualdo, Simon?

Yes indeed, talking about that Gesualdo disc. Turned it off and put on some Simon and Garfunkel instead!

[Jared]

Jared, I love the Christmas Oratario and I do listen to the six parts over Christmas and New Year, they are short pieces. I have ony started listening to the St Matthew Passion and I do like it, but it's a very long piece. I listened to both performances yesterday, Bruggen and then Suzuki and when the Suzuki was complete I was all "Bached out". I returned to it this morning though before BAL, and as one might expect it does reward repeated listening.

That's great to read, Sean.. if someone forced me to name what I thought was the greatest piece of choral music ever written, I think it would have to be the Mass in B minor... it really is a huge ediface of multi-layered magnificence, and so ahead of it's time... that said, I could listen to Bach choral all day long (and often do!)

[Jared]

Yes indeed, talking about that Gesualdo disc. Turned it off and put on some Simon and Garfunkel instead!

hmm.. that is indeed both interesting and surprising, coming from you of all people... maybe Gesualdo was so consumed with grief over the double murders, that it affected his musical judgement?

[Jared]