This past week, the girls and I swung by the library for a visit. While there, I perused their extensive compact disc collection and pulled some selections to listen to . . . and only from the very first tray!! They have absolutely a
of interesting looking music.
As we made the hour long drive home, we popped in a few recordings to preview. Some that I thought would be fabulous, were much less than that, and surprisingly, others were quite good. Once we arrived home, and over the subsequent days, we've enjoyed listening to the CDs on our handy-dandy-under-the-kitchen-cabinet Cd player.
Here are this week's finds. Stay tuned for more musical reviews, the next time I visit the library. : )
Listed from most to least favorite.
Recorded with conductor Arthur Fiedler during 1957-1970. Beautiful, dreamy, well loved classics. Some pieces originally written for piano but adapted here for full symphony. Highly recommended. We love listening to this any time during the day--when waking people up in the morning, making breakfast, washing dishes, during meals, working around the house, and even while settling everyone in bed for the night. Absolutely gorgeous with compositions from several eras (Debussy, Gershwin, Dvorak, Grieg, Humperdinck, Saint-Saens, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and Schubert). Quite delightful.
As Sarah and I had played one of these piano duets a few years ago, this CD jumped out at me. Like the Boston Pops, these songs have been adapted for full symphony; these particular selections are played by the London Symphony Orchestra. The highly energetic, folk like songs are perfect for whirling around the house while you tidy things up.
I'd heard of this composer long ago, but had never sampled his music. After reading the liner notes, I was even more impressed. Dietrich Buxtehude was most likely home educated by his father in all things musical (organ, composition, etc). He served as the organist for a church in Germany, and, like Bach, would compose things for his church congregation. This particular recording is full of cantatas composed for their Sunday afternoon concerts. Though sung in German, when you read the translation of the words, the solid Christ centered theology and meditations on the Psalms are absolutely stunning. Like many church musicians, Buxtehude composed for the people in his congregation who played a particular instrument, or sang a particular part. Thus, these compositions are simpler than Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Very worshipful.
I chose this CD because of it's conductor--the world acclaimed John Rutter. Truth is, I'd never heard him before. I loved the collection of songs here. You can really see the differences between pre and post reformation music. When the Lord brought reformation of the church in Europe, church music was redefined. Professional church choirs gave way to congregational singing. Elusive hauntingly plaintive melodies disappeared, and harmonically rich, joy filled tunes were sung. Though I didn't care for all the songs on this volume, it provided an interesting collection of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (with a few Catholic masses thrown in for good measure).
Bach, the master of the organ, is performed here on the organ at St. Bavo church in the Netherlands. I particularly enjoyed his hymn improvisations. Of course, Bach's church members often complained that they were so complicated they couldn't pick out the hymn tune! I try to keep this in mind as I accompany our church singing. : ) Cardinal rule for hymn accompanists: You are to support the congregational singing, not distract from the worship of God.
A collection of trumpet concertos and sonatas from a variety of eras (most Baroque and some early Classical). Good music, nothing too spectacular.
Yo Yo Ma's name shines forth as a beacon in the world of cellists. I'd heard a few of his performances on our
local classic radio station and my interest was piqued. I must admit a little disappointment at this particular recording. Though the musical sensitivity was quite amazing, we didn't care for the unaccompanied cello pieces as much. You can't work to them, certainly can't wash dishes to them, the best thing is probably to read a book to them. I'm still looking for another Yo Yo Ma recording that will better represent his expertise and fit our musical taste.
The first track on this CD was the only redeeming quality to the recording. Britten based his composition (used as a film score for a movie of similar title), "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra", on a theme by Henry Purcell (Baroque composer). Since he borrowed from the form of a Biblical worldview, this piece is surprisingly un-Britten-like and quite delightful. The rest of the CD? Not worth listening to.
I had high hopes in pulling this CD from the library stack. This all men's singing group has been praised by many (including several friends and acquaintances). However, were were disappointed in the selections they performed. A few were fun (Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, Shenandoah, Wade in the Water), but for the most part, they were dissonant to the extreme. I would be the first to agree that music has tension and resolution, but there has to be that element of resolution. If you end a song on the leading tone, no matter how many times you do it, it just won't sound complete (for all you non-musicians, this is the 7th note of a scale. Try playing a C scale up the piano and then stop on the B.). We also didn't care for popular choral phenomena of men singing soprano and alto. No folks. This is not an octave down. Their voices sound like women's, except strained and unnatural. Not as rich as if a woman were singing in her natural range. I know, I know. This is high treason in the world of art. But it seems to me if God designed distinction between men and women, giving them different ranges in vocal sound, one should embrace one's design, and not stretch it to this level. My opinion. : )
Leonard Bernstein, another famous person in the world of conductors. To be frank, his compositions were depressing. We skipped through all the tracks, hoping to find a hidden gem, but to no avail.
I was most disappointed in Britten's music. I seemed to recall hearing his name associated with good choral music, but these composition leave much to be desired. Dissonant with no resolution, formless with no rhythm, weird melodies with no direction. I was particularly disappointed as these were sacred works. Music used in the worship of God should be at the highest level of excellence. This certainly wasn't.
And there you have it folks! Musical critiques, free of charge, and tied up with a bow. Until next time, I remain yours, a music lover dedicated to the praise of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rebecca : )
