Welcome to SYMPHONYCHORUS.Blogspot.com – blogging our way through the new choral season! This is a work in progress and, I’m sure, will develop and grow as I learn how to use this medium to communicate with you all. I also need to establish a regular schedule for my posts. Note that there are several ways to subscribe to be notified when I have posted new material, or when others have commented.
Here is the list of choruses we are doing in the Bach:
(Please get two large paper clips and seal shut Cantatas II and IV. You are also encouraged to use smaller paperclips - or some other system of your choice – to close up the arias in between our choruses and chorales.
Bach Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio)
Cantatas I, III, V, VI
First Part
1. Coro: Jauchzet [7'40"] (DaCapo)
5. Choral: Wie soll Ich dich [1'03"]
7. Choral: Er ist auf Erden (sop) [2'57"]
9. Choral: Ach, mein herzliebes [1'13"]
Third Part
24. Coro: Herrscher des Himmels [1'53"]
26. Coro: Lasset uns nun gehen [0'39"]
28. Choral: Dies hat er alles [0'43"]
33. Choral: Ich will dich mit Fleiß [0'49"]
35. Choral: Seid froh [0'44"]
24. Coro da capo: Herrscher des Himmels [1'53"]
Fifth Part
43. Coro: Ehre sei dir [5'56"]
45. Coro: Wo ist der neugeborne [1'40"]
46. Choral: Dein Glanz [0'45"]
53. Choral: Zwar ist solche [0'47"]
Sixth Part
54. Coro: Herr, wenn die stolzen [4'58"]
59. Choral: Ich steh an deine Krippe [1'02"]
64. Choral: Nun seid ihr [3'26"]
10 Choral: 15 minutes
7 (6) Coro: 25 minutes
I do not yet have Ms. Miller’s cuts for Messiah. I will post them once available.
In our first two rehearsals we have looked at
Chorus No. 1 (Jauchzet) mm. 1-137
You should know pitches and rhythms (including performance of the trills) and be comfortable with text and pronunciation.
Chorale No. 5 (Wie soll ich) We have not yet added text text, but you should be able to perform your part independently or in small groups on the syllable “loo”
Chorale No. 9 (Ach, mein) see No. 5 – syllable “da”
Chorus No. 26 (Lasset) we read this and learned pitches on “da”
Chorus No. 45 (Wo) see No. 1, above
Chorale No. 64 (Nun seif) see No. 9 and No. 5
We also read several Messiah choruses.
On Tuesday, September 23 we will read choruses in Messiah that we have not yet sung and attempt the following in the Bach (not necessarily in this order):
Chorus No. 1 (Jauchzet) mm. 1-137
reivew pitches and rhythms (including performance of the trills) review pronunciation.
ADD the “B” section: mm. 138-201
Chorale No. 5 (Wie soll ich) reivew pitches; add text
Chorale No. 9 (Ach, mein) review pitches; add text
Chorus No. 26 (Lasset) reivew pitches; add text
Chorus No. 45 (Wo) reivew; polish
Chorale No. 64 (Nun seid) review pitches; add text
If you are looking to purchase a recording of the Bach, I recommend the John Elliot Gardiner performance on DG:
http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Christmas-Oratorio-Gardiner/dp/B0000057D5
If you have additional recordings to recommend, please do so by leaving a comment!
If you would like to listen to a performance of three of the cantatas on the web, check out the Collegiate Choral:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17525876
(note the related link to a full online performance of Handel’s Messiah, too)
The Bach is a rather relentlessly un-musical affair, led by Robert Bass. The Handel is Philadelphia Singers Chorale prepared by David Hayes and conducted quite nicely by Richard Hickox.
Note all the neat related material on all these NPR pages:
RELATED NPR STORIES
Jan. 4, 2006
The Eternal Genius of Handel
Dec. 17, 2002
Facts About Handel's 'Messiah'
Apr. 13, 2001
Handel's Messiah
Feb. 23, 2000 Handel
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