One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being. -May Sarton, 1912-1995

Music CD

2010, July 02

Sigiswald Kuijken and his shoulder cello

Two CDs from Sigiswald Kuijken, the cello suites and the violin sonatas and partitas.

 

Cello suites on 'shoulder cello'
Performer: Sigiswald Kuijken
Label: Accent 24196
Recorded: 12/4-7/2006 and 12/26-30/2007
Release Date: 2/24/2009

YouTube video: BWV 1007.1 Prelude
YouTube video: BWV 1007.3 Courante

 

 

Violin Sonatas and Partitas
Performer: Sigiswald Kuijken
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 277527
Date: 05/16/2001

YouTube music: BWV 1006.1,2,3
YouTube music: BWV 1006.4,5,6

 

 

 

I spent hours and hours practicing in front of the mirror, which was my best teacher, better than any recording you make of yourself playing, because the sound is depressing. It’s better to open your ears, look in the mirror and see the position of your hand. Even today I tell students not to come to me but just go home and practice in front of the mirror. It’s the best teacher: it doesn’t shout at you, it’s always there, is not expensive, and is friendly and reliable. - Sigiswald Kuijken, on learning to play the violin

 

 

Here are recordings that will bring many hours of happiness. I put the music on my iPod and listen while I take my morning and evening constitutional, turning a rather boring walk into something to look forward to. The sound of the shoulder cello is very different from the standard cello; the sound decays faster so that there is not the sense of the notes overlapping, giving the pieces a lighter presence. This recording won't replace my Cello Suites by Yo-Yo Ma, but it does now stand side by side.

Kuijken had the instrument made as a 60th birthday present for himself; he then proceeded to learn the cello suites and prepare for this recording. It is so inspiring that he is seeking new challenges and adding constantly to his repertoire.

• NewOlde Kuijken Bach project
• Kuijken Bach Cantatas at Presto
• Sigiswald Kuijken discusses his Violoncello da Spalla (Dutch)
• Early Music World: An Interview with Sigiswald Kuijken
• La Petite Bande
• Review by Jens F. Laurson for WETA Washington DC public radio
• Dmitry Badiarov, luthier
• Dmitry Badiarov, playing his Violoncello da Spalla
• Dmitry Badiarov, talking about his Violoncello da Spalla
• Badiarov, click on Sounds on left column

2010, April 24

Two Musicians

Classical music, two cultures, two world class musicians at 80 and 90

Nikolaus Harnoncourt Wikipedia biography Harnoncourt.de Cantatas.com biography Newest CD with review		Ravi Shankar Wikipedia biography Ravi Shankar.org NPR interview Newest CD "Ravi Shankar: The Master"

 

I have never had the good fortune to see Nikolaus Harnoncourt in concert, but I have seen Ravi Shankar twice. He gave a concert in Chicago in the late 70's sponsored by the East West Bookstore, a small room with a small stage and a small audience. Then in 1982 I took my daughter to see his concert in the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. He had appeared in the same theater in 1932 during his first American tour.

Both these musicicians have new recordings available.

 

CD-1: Cantatas BWV 29, 61, 140 CD-2: same from Teldec cantata cycle Nikolaus Harnoncourt Concentus Musicus Wien Arnold Schoenberg Chor (Chorus Master: Erwin Ortner) Soprano: Christine Schäfer [BWV 29, 61] Soprano: Julia Kleiter [BWV 140] Alto: Bernarda Fink [BWV 29, 61] Alto: Elisabeth von Magnus [BWV 140] Tenor: Kurt Streit [BWV 140] Tenor: Werner Güra [BWV 29, 61] Bass: Anton Scharinger [NWV 140] Bass: Gerald Finley [BWV 61] Bass: Christian Gerhaher [BWV 29] Deutsche Harmonia Mundi Großer Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria Jan 12-14, 2007 [BWV 29] Dec 7-11, 2006 [BWV 61] Dec 15-16, 2007 [BWV 140]		Release Date: 04/27/2010 Deutsche Grammophon 001420102 CD 1 The Spirit of India 1 - 4 Raga Jogeshwari 5 Raga Hameer CD 2 Homage to Mahatma Gandhi 1 Raga Mohan Kauns 2 Raga Gara 3 Tala Farodast CD 3 Ravi Shankar and Friends Towards the Rising Sun 1 Padhasapa 2 Kaharwa 3 Improvisation 4 Nahmah Shivaya 5 Tribute to Nippon 6 Raga Hemant

 

 

2010, March 18

Shannon Mercer sings Bach arias

A very nice collection of Bach chorales on the organ, soprano arias with obbligato violin and oboe.

Analecta, a Canadian company, has produced this collection of chorales and arias, some chorales for organ alone, arias with either oboe or violin obbligato and organ as basso continuo. The pieces are in the order of the dates of the church calendar.

One note, I find the final selection, BWV 57.7, a rather odd choice since it ends on an interrogative note by the soprano (the soul), rather than providing a good solid tonic resolution. The answer to the question lies in the chorale BWV 57.8, but that does not appear on this recording. This gives a sense of an unfinished aspect to the CD. However it did get my attention at the end, having to figure out what was happening.

 

Bach and the Liturgical Year Shannon Mercer, soprano Luc Beauséjour, orgue / organ Washington McClain, hautbois baroque et de chasses / oboe, oboe da caccia Nicole Trotier, violon baroque / baroque violin Amanda Keesmaat, violoncelle baroque / baroque cello Release: 2008 Analekta AN 2 9907

 

1. Aria Flösst mein Heiland, flösst dein Namen (BWV 248.39) 5:16 (Feast of the Circumcision) sop organ oboe
2. Choral Das alte Jahr vergangen ist (BWV 1091) 2:40 (New Years) organ
3. Aria Jesus soll mein erstes Wort (BWV 171.4) 4:44 (New Years) sop organ violin
4. Aria Ich Bin Vergnügt Um Meinem Leiden (BWV 58.3) 4:20 (First Sunday after New Years) sop organ violin
5. Aria Ich esse mit Freuden (BWV 84.3) 4:29 (Septuagesima) sop organ oboe violin
6. Choral Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein (BWV 734) 2:16 (Acts of Thanksgiving) organ
7. Aria Erfüllet, ihr himmlischen (BWV 1.3) 4:23 (Annunciation) sop organ oboe
8. Choral Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott (BWV 721) 4:24 (Confession) organ
9. Choral Christ ist erstanden (BWV 746) 1:42 (Easter) organ
10. Fughetta manualiter super Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot (BWV 679) 2:02 (Dogma) organ
11. Choral Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (BWV 706) 1:16 (Pentecost) organ
12. Aria Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not (BWV 21.3) 4:13 (Third Sunday after Trinity) sop organ oboe
13. Aria Gott Versorget Alles Leben (BWV 187.5) 4:17 (Seventh Sunday after Trinity) sop organ oboe
14. Choral Vater unser im Himmelreich (BWV 683) 1:15 (Instruction) organ
15. Aria Komm in mein Herzenshaus (BWV 80.4) 3:27 (Reformation) sop organ
16. Aria Gerechter Gott, ach, rechnest du? (BWV 89.5) 2:12 (Twenty second Sunday after Trinity) sop organ oboe
17. Fughetta manualiter Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 699) 1:14 (Advent) organ
18. Choral In dulci jubilo (BWV 751) 1:53 (Nativity) organ
19. Fughetta manualiter Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her (BWV 701) 1:37 (Nativity) organ
20. Aria Ich ende behende (BWV 57.7) 4:18 (Second day of the Nativity) sop organ violin

 

Other sources for the CD
Shannon Mercer.com/
Shannon Mercer.com Bach
Analekta
hbdirect
arkivmusic

2010, January 20

BWV 55, BWV 82 and arias

Two Bach cantatas and a selection of arias by tenor Ian Bostridge.

I am listening to the Europa Galante play Bach cantatas, arias and sinfonias. I was not sure about buying this CD but I am so glad I did. It is superb. I am listening to it again and again.

 

Tenor: Ian Bostridge Conductor: Fabio Biondi Ensemble: Europa Galante Recorded: 03/2000 San Giovanni Abbey, Parma, Italy Virgin Classics Veritas: 45420 YouTube: Recording the CD

 

The marvelous voice of tenor Ian Bostridge could not be more perfect for this program of Bach cantatas and arias. Like Hans Hotter before him, Bostridge's voice has a unique ethereal quality, a hollow distance that identifies less with the character and more the spirit of the subject.
The complete review from John Greene, ClassicsToday.com

In BWV 82 … in addition to the transposition up to E minor for soprano tessitura (here an octave lower for Bostridge's tenor) from Bach's 1731 version, they've also opted for that 1731 use of a flute instead of the oboe. Bach himself recycled the piece four or five times after the original 1727, always with oboe except in 1731.
From the discussion on Bach-Cantatas.com

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