Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Dec 5, 2010 at 6:35am
Make your case in the comments section.
I don't suppose we'll settle the matter once and for all, but considering the question should settle two others of some importance: Was German society the most brilliant in history? Does God exist?
I don't see how you can listen to either for long and say "No" to either question.
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Aug '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Claire, I think Mozart's C-minor mass was the only thing he did to seriously rival Bach.
That, and a few arias (like the Queen of the Night) from his operas. Of course, music had changed a lot between Mozart and Bach's time, so it's a difficult comparison.
As for me, I could sing Bach's B-minor mass for hours, and as a musical idea, I love, love, it. But Mozart's C-minor mass is easier to perform well. The texture is less dense, so it doesn't require such scrupulous togetherness and intonation as Bach's work to sparkle.
I have come to the conclusion, by the way, that the main reason people say they hate Baroque music is because they haven't heard it performed well.
Edited on Dec 5, 2010 at 8:08amMay '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
I don't want to live in a world with only Mozart, or Bach. Even the hardest atheist must pause to reflect when listening to this music
German society the most brilliant in history? What about the Austrians Claire?, Surely fin de siecle Vienna was as extraordinary as Berlin? (Or are you taking a wider span of German society).
Most brillant, Great Britain, Ancient Greeks, the Italians, (another late unification of state there), the French (excluding their Pop music and the Andouilette), and the Chinese, etc...
One thing is for sure about German brilliance, Music and Science have been extraordinary, but it does not extend to their cuisine.
Love their compound nouns though.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
My only response is Giovanni Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli - Kyria
Edited on Dec 5, 2010 at 6:59amAug '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Cas, as I haven't heard enough Palestrina yet, but I love him when I do, I was eager to follow your link. Unfortunately it didn't work. (But maybe it's just my computer.)
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Oh, and Claire Giovanni Palestrina was Italian, just in case the name didn't tip you off. This particular Kyria is poly-harmony at its best, note the various lines running through the piece. In Palestrina's day the church was going through one of its austerity phases, and this mass was written for Pope Macellus in an attempt to persuade him that music had its place.The entire mass is is angelic in its effect. Here is the Agnus Dei.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Cas, as I haven't heard enough Palestrina yet, but I love him when I do, I was eager to follow your link. Unfortunately it didn't work. (But maybe it's just my computer.) · Dec 5 at 7:01am
I fixed it on the edit sorry 'bout the firs go round midget.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
For the addicts here's the Gloria.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
If you still want more, here's the Credo.
Aug '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
For those of you into Palestria, how about some di Lasso (Lassus) and Gesualdo, too? Some di Lasso:
Timor et Tremor
Tenebrae Responsories
Our director told us Gesualdo's mannerism was so extreme that he discovered sounds not used again until modern times (and some may decide it's just as well they weren't). Whether or not our director was telling the truth (Bach himself came up with some pretty funky stuff in his later organ works), it sure sounds like it sometimes:
Holy Saturday Responsories 1, 2, 3,
O Vos Omnes,
Surge, Jerusalem,
Edited on Dec 5, 2010 at 3:42pmJun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
This time of year, Handel (oratorio) goes to the top of my list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
Sep '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Lucky for all of you that this Advent Cat hangs out with the New Liturgical Movement blog crowd (where all the cool cats are) and, in answer to your question: Which Palestrina should I buy:
Your prayers have been answered.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
OK sports fans here's some Rachmaninoff Vespers. Just in case you thought nothing good ever came out of Russia.
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
More Vespers, Rejoice, O Virgin.
Sep '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
And have you all met the Mozart of Theology?
Jun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
One last bit of Rachmaninoff, Pridite, Poklonimsya.Sorry to be such a posting pig, but I love choral music and can't resist proselytizing.
Sep '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
In Palestrina's day the church was going through one of its austerity phases,
That's an oversimplification, but I'll let it slide.
Sep '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Charles Gounod: “Mozart exists, and will exist, eternally; divine Mozart—less a name, more a soul descending to us from the heavens, who appeared on this earth, stayed for a little over thirty years, and left it all the more rejuvenated, richer and happier for his appearance.”
Victor Borge: “In my dreams of heaven, I always see the great Masters gathered in a huge hall in which they reside. Only Mozart has his own suite.”
Phil Goulding: “For one moment in the history of music all opposites were reconciled; all tensions resolved; that luminous moment was Mozart.”
Edvard Grieg: “In Bach, Beethoven and Wagner we admire principally the depth and energy of the human mind; in Mozart, the divine instinct.”
Franz Alexander von Kleist: “Mozart's music is so beautiful as to entice angels down to earth.”
Albert Einstein: “Mozart is the greatest composer of all. Beethoven created his music, but the music of Mozart is of such purity and beauty that one feels he merely found it—that it has always existed as part of the inner beauty of the universe waiting to be revealed.”
Georg Solti: “Mozart makes you believe in God.”
Aug '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Cas, the vespers are gorgeous. How about some Chesnokov to go with 'em? Spaseniye Sodelal. Sounds weird to me not being for all-men's voices, though. Here's another rendition, which some might like better, but again women are horning in on the action.
Edited on Dec 5, 2010 at 8:10amJun '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
Today Mozart is diagnosed with a mild case of Tourette's Syndrome. Fat chance he'd make it through our school systems and still be able to write a note of music.
Edited on Dec 5, 2010 at 8:07amMay '10
Re: Sunday Morning Bach Versus Mozart Contest, Plus Bonus Proof of God's Existence
What MFR, - no Josquin ? How about Arvo Part ?