Seeing through the Hayes
Finally, my 40 Organ Chorales arrived from Stanton's today.
I've been pining for some sight-readable music to use for prelude and postlude at church, and I found this collection of chorales by Johann Christoph Bach whilst purchasing 3 Fantastic Dances by Shostakovich. They're all very simple and "churchy" sounding, and best of all, they're all sight-readable. Wait, I lied. Best of all, they're not Mark Hayes arrangements.
This is a huge relief for me, because none of the music I'm preparing for auditions and/or contests is appropriate for use in church. I doubt anybody wants to walk in to hear the pounding of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata or the hopelessly depressing lyricism of Mozart's Fantasia in D minor, because thus far the level of musical awareness has proven to be lacking at best. I figure I'll break even if everyone can settle on the polyphonic mastery of Bach as opposed to Chris Tomlin's bastardization of all that was once musical.
I plan to also play J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto sometime in the near future as well. While I do easily tire of most baroque music, it has a sacred grandeur and complexity beyond any other musical style. Plus, I'd sooner play Charles Ives' Concord Sonata than play another Mark Hayes derangement.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Bravo!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I enjoy your skill at pianoforte. That's the original, full, Italian name for Pianos. but I know nothing of music, sad for me. but all well.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
And you know what? I would bet money that not a single churchgoer will notice the difference.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:50 am
@Seth, they actually called them pianofortes because they were the first instrument to have a range of dynamic contrasts, from piano (soft) to forte (loud). Of course dynamics weren't written in music until the time of Bach. I'm not sure why we just call them pianos now, since everyone thinks you're a good pianist only if you play really really loudly.
@Jacob, I'll be expecting a piece of the profit from that bet when you win it.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I know Phil, well, except that part about before Bach. Maybe you could play well AND forfill peoples expectations by playing in an ampitheater! loud music goes to everyone...maybe they've lost their sense of Musical music from listening to ra and the like...
This has been a bordom rant by Seth, untill next time.