Bach's Mass in B Minor is considered the supreme achievement of Western music. In scope, majesty and intention it has no equal. Yet for many it remains an aloof piece, a work hard to penetrate and understand. A piece of music not fit for an age of syncopated beat and simplistic melody. But all the greatness and grandeur of the Mass is there to discover, especially in a newly re released 1996 recording by Belgian composer Phillipe Herreweghe. The Mass in B is an acquired taste, a great intellectual musical enterprise that takes effort to learn and follow. The reward__ listening to it actually develops the faculties of mind needed to grapple with the it. The more you listen the more it scrubs your soul until finally you realize that the music has moved you one notch up into a realm you never visited before. The Mass in B took Bach a lifetime to compose and assemble. It wasn't performed in its entirety until more than 100 years after his death. Herreweghe's recording is just right and beautifully paced yet not exaggerated, a performance probably very close to Bach's intentions. The best aspect of all is that Herrewehe's recording can be had on itunes or amazon for $7.99.
Friday, August 21, 2009
MUSIC:Bach Mass in B minor
Bach's Mass in B Minor is considered the supreme achievement of Western music. In scope, majesty and intention it has no equal. Yet for many it remains an aloof piece, a work hard to penetrate and understand. A piece of music not fit for an age of syncopated beat and simplistic melody. But all the greatness and grandeur of the Mass is there to discover, especially in a newly re released 1996 recording by Belgian composer Phillipe Herreweghe. The Mass in B is an acquired taste, a great intellectual musical enterprise that takes effort to learn and follow. The reward__ listening to it actually develops the faculties of mind needed to grapple with the it. The more you listen the more it scrubs your soul until finally you realize that the music has moved you one notch up into a realm you never visited before. The Mass in B took Bach a lifetime to compose and assemble. It wasn't performed in its entirety until more than 100 years after his death. Herreweghe's recording is just right and beautifully paced yet not exaggerated, a performance probably very close to Bach's intentions. The best aspect of all is that Herrewehe's recording can be had on itunes or amazon for $7.99.
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