|
|
Bach Cantatas Website - Newsletters
Year 2004 |
|
< Year 2003 |
Year 2005 > |
|
The Bach Cantatas Website celebrates its 3rd anniversary |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (January 9, 2004)
The Bach Cantatas Website (BCW) was launched in its current form and address on December 30, 2000.
The BCW is located at: http://www.bach-cantatas.com
This a comprehensive site covering all aspects of J.S. Bach's cantatas and his other vocal works. Contains discussions and detailed discographies of each cantata and other vocal works, performers and general topics. The BCW also includes texts and translations, scores, music examples, articles and interviews, and short biographies of more than 1,600 performers of Bach vocal works (singers, conductors, vocal and instrumental groups). There are also other relevant resources such as a discussion of the Lutheran church year, reviews and discussions of Bach’s non-vocal works, terms and abbreviations, schedule of concerts of Bach's vocal works, guide to Bach tour, hundreds of links to other relevant resources. The BCW is an international collective project, being compiled from various postings about the subject, most of which have been sent to the Bach Cantatas Mailing List.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank the numerous contributors to the discussions in the BCML, BRML, Bach_Cantatas ML, Beginners Bach and some other lists, whose messages are compiled into the pages of the BCW. Their names are mentioned accordingly above each quoted message. I would also like to thank the many Bach lovers who have sent me material to be included in the BCW, such as articles, translation of the cantatas’ texts, details of recordings, short biographies, photos, links to other sites, etc. Their names are mentioned accordingly in the relevant pages.
There have been many improvements & additions to the BCW last year. I would not like to repeat them here. If you are interested, please take a look at:
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/New/Newsletter-2003.htm
A very important change was moving to a new server. The additional space allowed me to add scores and music examples. The number of visits at the BCW has been grown up significantly. During the last two months the number of DAILY visits is about 4,000. More statistics of the BCW can be found at:
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Statistics-Month.htm
I am encouraged by the positive feedback the BCW is getting from all over the world. Many of the feedback messages can be read in the following pages:
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/About-2000.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/About-2001.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/About-2002.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/About-2003.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/About-2004.htm
I continue to look forward to receiving your comments (corrections, suggestions, improvements, etc.) about the Website. The instructions how to send me comments, appear in the following page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/How.htm
I wish you all another Great and Happy Bach Year |
| |
|
AOF - Recordings |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (January 17, 2004)
The Bach Cantatas Website (BCW) is not aimed at comprehensiveness with Bach's non-vocal works as it does with the vocal works. However, I have decided to add to the Bach Cantatas Website lists of recordings of selective non-vocal works.
The first work to be chosen is Die Kunst der Fuge (Art of Fugue = AOF) BWV 1080. You can find a list of the complete recordings of AOF split into several pages, a page for a decade, starting at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVD/BWV1080.htm
If you are aware of a recording of AOF not listed in these pages, or if you find an error or missing information, please inform me, either through the BRML or to my personal e-mail address. |
| |
|
Here come the Goldbergs |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (January 31, 2004)
I have compiled a list of the complete recordings of the Goldberg Variations BWV 988 (GV). I have used every possible source I could find, including websites as a+30+a Goldberg Variations, J.S. Bach Home Page, All Classical Guide, web-stores as Amazon, and other websites I have been able to find using Google search engine, as well as various catalogues and my private collection.
You can find a list of the complete recordings of GV split into several pages, a page for a decade, starting at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVD/BWV988.htm
All in all, 261 complete recordings of GV are listed. The 1990's were particularly prolific with 105 recordings!
If you are aware of a recording of GV not listed in these pages, or if you find an error or missing information, please inform me, either through the BRML or to my personal e-mail address. |
| |
|
Keyboard Toccatas BWV 910-916 – Discography |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (February 7, 2004)
I have compiled a discography of the Keyboard Toccatas BWV 910-916 (KBT). I have used every possible source I could find, including websites as J.S. Bach Home Page, All Classical Guide, web-stores as Amazon, and other websites I have been able to find using Google search engine, as well as various catalogues and my private collection.
You can find a list of the complete recordings of the KBT split into several pages, a page for a decade, starting at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVD/BWV910-916.htm
The discography includes complete sets of the 7 Toccatas, as well as complete recordings of individual Toccatas. It does not include recordings of individual movements from these works.
All in all there are at least 106 different recordings of these rather neglected works. This figure is quite impressive considering that these are the least recorded (and performed) of all Bach's keyboard works, which are organised in groups (Partitas, English & French Suites, etc.)
If you are aware of a recording of the KBT not listed in the discography pages, or if you find an error or missing information, please inform me, either through the BRML or to my personal e-mail address.
There have been some discussions of the KBT in the BRML. Those discussions have also been compiled, and the above page includes also links to the discussions. You are invited to use this discography and the previous discussions as a springboard for a new discussion of the Keyboard Toccatas. Right now I am listening to the excellent and most captivating rendition by Menno van Delft (Brilliant Classics). |
| |
|
Lute Works BWV 995-1000, 1006a – Discography |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (February 14, 2004)
I have compiled a discography of the Lute Works BWV 995-1000 & 1006a (LW). I have used every possible source I could find, including various websites and printed catalogues and my private collection.
You can find a list of the complete recordings of the LW split into several pages, a page for a decade, starting at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVD/BWV995-1000.htm
The discography includes complete sets of the 7 LW, as well as complete recordings of individual LW. Except for a few cases, it does not include recordings of individual movements from these works. During the compiling process, I have been surprised to find out that there are not too many complete recorded sets of the LW. It is also interesting to note that these works started to be recorded relatively late. After the pioneering efforts of Segovia in the late 1920's, there was almost nothing during the next three decades. The real breakthrough came only in mid 1960's with Gerwig, Williams and Bream.
All in all there are at least 114 different recordings of the LW. Most of them are played, of course, on either lute or guitar. However, you can also find recordings of these works on harpsichord, organ, lute-harpsichord, flute & harpsichord, etc. On the other hand there are recorded arrangements of other Bach's works on lute or guitar, such as the Violin S&P, the GV, etc. But those recordings are beyond the scope of the discography at hand.
If you are aware of a recording of the LW not listed in the discography pages, or if you find an error or missing information, please inform me, either through the BRML or to my personal e-mail address.
There have been some discussions of the LW in the BRML. Those discussions have also been compiled, and the above page includes links to the discussions. You are invited to use this discography and the previous discussions as a springboard for a new discussion of these charming works. |
| |
|
PDF file with all works in the BWV |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (February 21, 2004):
Following a short discussion in the BCML, Jason Marmaras, in his kindness, contributed a PDF file with list of all the works in BWV in numerical order. The list includes for each work: BWV Number, Title, Subtitle & Notes, Strength (Instrumentation). See link at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/IndexBWV.htm
You can search the file with ctrl+f, so that works with special instrumentation could be easily find. The creator of this file is not known. If anybody happens to know this fact, please inform me. |
| |
|
Guide to Bach Tour |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (March 21, 2004)
Today is J.S. Bach’s Birthday and the right time to announce of a new section of the Bach Cantatas Website (BCW). Before the announcement a short introduction is needed.
During the first half of October 1999 I did my Bach Tour. It was a dream come true, which had become feasible only after the unification of Germany. I was not much into Bach at that time, listening mostly to Jazz music and writing about it. But Bach had always been in my mind. I did some, if not very extensive research planning to visit about 5-7 places associated with Bach. I started my tour in Berlin. The first place was Potsdam, where Bach got the theme for the Musical Offering from the King Friedrich the Great. We were in the room where Bach and the King played together. Next station was Brandenburg, not much to see. In the evening we arrived to Köthen. We were lucky to find a charming place to sleep near the Old Town. The tourist office was already closed, but we could get into the right atmosphere by walking in the streets of this small town before the shadows of the night spread and cover everything. In the morning we went directly to the Palace. We were the only visitors and the courteous man took us willingly to all the rooms and halls of the Palace. We saw the hall where Bach and his ensemble played most probably the Brandenburg Concertos and chamber music. There, in that hall, was the first time I felt the spirit of Bach in the air. Our next station was Mühlhausen, surrounded with a wall, most of it in good condition. We entered into the Old Town, visited the Marienkirche and looked for the tourist information. It was our most lucky day of the tour. The woman at the office did not speak English, but when she heard the name Bach she gave us some brochures. Only then we realised that next year, 2000, would be the 250 anniversary to the death of Bach. Equipped with the new material we re-planned our tour, visiting all in all 17 places associated with Bach.
When I came back to Israel, I looked for discussion groups about Bach. It was exactly the time when Kirk launched the new BRML and the BCML. The rest, as they say, is a history. I started listening extensively to Bach, abandoning gradually all other kinds of music to which I used to listen, Jazz included. I enveloped myself with Bach’s music, and after more than four years, I still cannot forcing myself giving other music the same kind of attention and dedication I do with Bach.
I recommend to every member of Bach lists doing his/her Bach Tour. In the last couple of months I have been working on a new section of the BCW: Guide to Bach Tour: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Tour/index.htm
The Guide includes:
A. Life history of J.S. Bach.
B. Maps.
C. Page for each place associated with Bach, 39 in total, including:
- Description and history of the place and its Bach connection.
- Relevant events in life history of J.S. Bach.
- Performance dates of J.S. Bach’s vocal works.
- Features of interest.
- Information & links.
- Photos (separate page).
- Maps (Separate page).
D. Recommended routes.
I believe that you have in this Guide everything needed to plan your Bach Tour. However, for some places I have not been able to find enough information. With your help this Guide could be even more complete and accurate. If you find useful information missing from the Guide, and/or any errors, please inform me right away. If you have already done a Bach Tour, you are invited to contribute photos, maps, etc. Please send the info and the material to my private e-mail address: oron-a@inter.net.il
and not to the Bach lists. |
| |
|
Original Abu-Gosh Music Festival |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (May 29, 2004):
It has become a tradition around Easter time for one of the most interesting musical events in Israel to take place, an event that few real music lovers care to miss. Every Saturday, during the month of May a stream of people could be seen heading in the direction of Abu Gosh-Kiryath Yearim in order to participate in the Music Festival which was held there.
It was quite different from other festivals and from other concerts; the place was unlike other venues and even the audience was not quite the same as the regular concert-going audience. The concerts were performed in a church possessing most remarkable acoustics, which heighten the beauty of the sounds created therein.
The programme was mostly drawn from Christian liturgical music, the performers were mainly Jewish and the audience was a mixed one - Jews, Christians and Moslems. Here, a small island of brotherhood and understanding was created. Here, a common language was wrought - the language of music.
The idea first took shape at meetings which were held for music lovers in the early 'fifties. Professor Felix Gad Sulman used to take his choir from Jerusalem to musical tours in Abu Gosh Church. Its character as a festival emerged in 1957 when the conductor Sigi Stadermann took over the musical direction. To this end he formed the Festival Choir and Orchestra which, during its 15 years of existence (1957-1972), attracted besides amateurs professional musicians from all parts of the country. They were all united by the exciting experience of playing music that was hardly ever performed elsewhere in Israel.
What the Original Abu-Gosh Music Festival has to do with Bach? A lot indeed. This was the place where many of Bach's vocal works were firstly performed in Israel, including Matthaus-Passion, Johannes-Passion, Weihnachts-Oratorium, most of the Motets and about dozen Cantatas.
I have launched a new website dedicated to the Original Abu-Gosh Music Festival, actually a sub-website of the BCW: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/AG/AG.htm |
| |
|
New article added - Bach Notes |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (October 2, 2004)
Sean Burton, Artistic Director of Boston Orpheus Ensemble, was very kind to contribute an article to the Articles Section of the BCW. Essentially, it is program notes to a series of concerts she is presenting in the greater Boston area next week. After the introduction, there is a lengthy discussion of Bach's life followed by notes about Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen, BWV 51 and Ich habe genung, BWV 82.
I hope you'll find its content to be useful.
You can find the article at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Articles/Bach-Notes[Burton].htm
There is a link to this page from: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Articles/index.htm |
| |
|
Bach's Vocal Concerts Mailing List deleted |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (December 24, 2004)
The Bach Vocal Concerts Mailing List at YahooGroups was deleted due to inactivity.
On the other hand, I continue updating the world-wide Schedule of Concerts of Bach’s vocal works at the BCW:
Year 2004: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Concerts/Concert-2004.htm
Year 2005: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Concerts/Concert-2005.htm
The sources of information are various websites, artists, ensemble managers, artist agents and Bach fans from all around the world. All those people prefer writing to me directly rather than using the Bach Vocal Concerts Mailing List.
If you are aware of a planned concert, in which Bach's vocal works will be performed, please write to me off-list. The instructions appear at the page: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Concerts/index.htm |
| |
|
Complete Cantata Cycle for listening in the BCW |
|
Aryeh Oron wrote (December 27, 2004)
We are approaching rapidly the beginning of the 2nd round of cantata discussions, and I have great news for you.
I was permitted by Joan Records to present in the Bach Cantatas Website the complete cantata cycle of Pieter Jan Leusink with Holland Boys Choir & Netherlands Bach Collegium.
You can get at each cantata recording through either the "Index to Music Examples from Bach Works": http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Mus/index.htm
or the Recordings page of the cantata (the orange section at the top).
The music is presented not for downloading but for stream listening through the Web (ram format). It means that in order to listen to the music you need broadband and RealPlayer, which can be freely downloaded from RealNetworks.
From now on, no excuse to avoid participating in the cantata discussions like "I do not have a recording of this cantata" would be accepted! (-:
Please report to me off-list of any technical problem you might find.
Happy New Year & Enjoy, |
| |
|
Indonesia Translation Pages in BCW |
|
Rianto Pardede [Indonesia] wrote (December 30, 2004):
With the kind help of Aryeh Oron, Indonesia translation pages of cantatas' text for January 2005 (i.e. BWV 150, 131, 106, 4, and 196) are now available in Bach Cantatas Website (BCW). The index page for them is: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/IndexTexts-Ind-BWV.htm
Batches of subsequent translations are planned to be added regularly, in anticipation of the weekly round discussion for each following month. Hopefully, fellow Indonesians--few, as they are--and, probably Malayans, may find them of some use. |
| |
|
English translations of cantatas and chorales |
|
Francis Browne [Indonesia] wrote (December 30, 2004):
As the new cycle of cantata discusions progresses I shall be revising my existing translations, adding notes about the text and making new translations where necessary. The translations will be available in both interlinear format and as a more economically printable version in parallel format. My intention is also to provide translations of the complete texts of the chorales used by Bach in many cantatas. Some chorales are in turn based on Latin hymns and texts and translations will be available for these also.
Where the text of a cantata is closely linked with the readings for a particular day of the Lutheran church year, I hope with Aryeh's kind cooperation to make these readings easily available in English and German.
Corrections and suggestions for improvement are always welcome (Offlist please) |
| |
|
< Year 2003 |
Year 2005 > |
|
|
