Choral music
Sat, Jan 28 2012, 10:02PM
Hi guys. I've never really got into choral music. I found Brahms' Requiem too bland and Mozart's Requiem very uninspired towards the end, I think you can almost hear the seam. Verdi's requiem just seems a noise as does Mendelssohn's Elijah. However I have been recently listening to Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Faure's Requiem and love them. Any other gems out there I should hear, cheers guys.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 7:38AM
#2
RE: Choral music
Hi guys. I've never really got into choral music.
When on a similar journey to yourself I found that particular versions make a huge difference. As mentioned elsewhere, reviewers can be invaluable to the beginner. They have been (and still are) to me. I really love most choral music now. And, for what it's worth, would endorse the above advice. Happy hunting.
Vic.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 8:10AM
#3
RE: Choral music
Hi guys. I've never really got into choral music.
When on a similar journey to yourself I found that particular versions make a huge difference. As mentioned elsewhere, reviewers can be invaluable to the beginner. They have been (and still are) to me. I really love most choral music now. And, for what it's worth, would endorse the above advice. Happy hunting.
Vic.
Curious - I was only thinking this week around the point Vic makes, while listening to some Berlioz. I've loved choral music ever since I was small (inevitable, I suppose, being Welsh) and have sung in a few over the years. But possibly more than any other genre I could think of, the recorded quality of choral music is, to me, immensely influential in appreciation of the piece itself. If it's a piece comparatively new to me, poor choral recording quality can be really offputting, unfairly so at times, because the performance itself might in itself be worth exploring. It must be exceptionally difficult for recording engineers to get right, I suppose.
I'd echo 78rpm's recommendation of the Monteverdi Vespers. An astonishing work.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 9:40AM
#4
RE: Choral music
I don't like choral music to be too 'churchy' but I don't like it to be too 'operatic' either. I've tried Janacek's mass but found it to be messy and rough, which suprised me as I like Janacek and thought he would be the one composer who would appeal in a choral sense ( I didn't like the Poulenc either). I suppose I'm looking for a secular mass that praises otherworldyness or a choral symphony (though I am very familiar with Mahler). I just haven't explored the Requiem and Mass side of music. But thanks for your suggestions guys and keep them coming.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 9:52AM
#5
RE: Choral music
I suppose I'm looking for a secular mass that praises otherworldyness
Can't get my head around that one!
Vic.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 10:56AM
#6
RE: Choral music
Spirituality and higher consciousness but not in a religious sense.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 10:59AM
#7
RE: Choral music
Had thought of Britten's War Requiem but most reviewers seem to compare it to Verdi's and I can't stand the voice of Peter Pears.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 11:14AM
#8
RE: Choral music
Had thought of Britten's War Requiem but most reviewers seem to compare it to Verdi's and I can't stand the voice of Peter Pears.
VicGay, I wouldn't be too put off by the Verdi parallel. The Britten is a great and very moving work (as, to me, is the Verdi of course). I have a similar view of Pears - he's always been very much an acquired taste for me. Try the Gardiner recording.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 12:00PM
#9
RE: Choral music
'Ere Vic Gay!
It do seem a bit odd your name, only it do bear more than a passing resemblance to another member's name.
Still, as it's Zunday, oi would think you be taking a rest from the fields and observing the Lord's Day by listening to some choral music.
Give thanks to the Lord for He does bless us with his bountiful 'arvest. Especially thankin' Him for the apples, for without them there be no zider.
Try a bit of that there Renaissance music. It do calm a raging soul down. In fact there be a CD I just bought this week called Renaissance by 'arry Christopher and his umteen singers. It be wonderful - especially Allegri's Miserere.
Partsong
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 12:23PM
#10
RE: Choral music
'Ere Vic Gay!
It do seem a bit odd your name
Partsong
Partsong, you got there just before me! There I was in the shower, thinking of composing a reply along the lines of "religious music without being churchy; spirituality without religion???" and the penny dropped! Gosh, he's a strange cove! This forum does seem to attract some odd bods doesn't it?
Vic.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 12:44PM
#11
RE: Choral music
Well, well, well. Haunting or haunted. Fascinating! I think we have to resolve the "name" issue (or game), first, before I get to the substance, which, under the circumstances, doesn't make too much sense, at least to me.
Anyway, let's see where this thread may lead us.
Parla
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 12:58PM
#12
RE: Choral music
Fascinating! doesn't make too much sense, at least to me.
Parla
Any theories to bring to bear on this little conundrum Parla?
Vic.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 4:27PM
#13
RE: Choral music
There I was in the shower
Vic.
Victor, I happen to be called Victor and I happen to be gay, It's quite common really. Anyway enough talk about homosexuality as it has absolutley nothing to do with this topic and back to Benjamen Britten. The Gardiner sounds like a good option perhaps I'll give that a try.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 5:21PM
#14
RE: Choral music
I guess, Vic Jay, the riddle has been resolved by the author. Now, perhaps, you have to explain (to anybody interested, not necessarily to me) what this Jay may hide...
As for you Vic Gay, you may try also the War Requiem with Norrington too on Hanssler, while soon, van Zweden has a new apparently very impressive one (in SACD sound) on Challenge.
Further suggestions as the thread advances. However, you seem a bit lost in the wilderness of Choral Music. You need further guidance through reading, studying, learning, indulging in the variety and complexity of this genre (there is plenty of extremely wonderful music therein, including the works you have already rejected).
Parla
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 6:43PM
#15
RE: Choral music
Victor, I happen to be called Victor and I happen to be gay, It's quite common really. Anyway enough talk about homosexuality as it has absolutley nothing to do with this topic and back to Benjamen Britten.
Hmmm.. Mildly humorous - but sorry, it's just not credible. You're not very good at this subterfuge business are you? Partsong has you bang to rights, I think.
Vic.
There many gems in this genre though I'm not sure if they will please you as you didn't like Mozart's Requiem, found Brahm's bland and has enjoyed two choral works quite different in style.
Let me suggest these though: Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine + Mozart's Great Mass in C minor: both great works and relatively easy to approach. Later try Bach's Mass in B minor and Handel's Oratorios, particularly Israel in Egypy where choral parts abound.