Opening chorus of Bach's Matthæuspassion - greatest piece of music ever written

[tom]

Discuss.

[methodistgirl]

I'm sorry that I haven't heard it. Do you know where I can find it so I
can listen?
Judy Tooley

[Krummhorn]

Here's a small sample of this work ... not sure if it's the opening chorus, but it is masterfully performed:

+ YouTube Video

[Corno Dolce]

No, that's not the opening chorus I'm sorry to say. Here's the one that you're looking for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_LLFfFXaUA

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[njattack]

Corno Dolce:

Do you know this music?

What is that piece that the St. Thomas choir is singing? I believe it is some part of Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. But what part?

Specifically, I'm looking for this music so that I can play this on the piano. Hopefully, it will also have German lyrics. Any information is helpful.

Thanks,
PWS Illinois, USA

[Corno Dolce]

Hi PWS,

Welcome aboard dear colleague

The piece sung by the St. Thomas Choir is "Sind Blitzen, Sind Donner"(Tis Lightning, Tis Thunder) from the St. Matthew Passion of Bach. Here's the score which you'll need to purchase:

https://www.baerenreiter.com/html/ca...r/ba05099a.gif

Go to the baerenreiter.com site and order the piano reduction - 18.95 Euros = $27.8414 as of 5:37 a.m. on Saturday 29 Oct 07.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[njattack]

Thank you for the info.

I did some searching and found the following site which gives the English and German translation.

http://music.minnesota.publicradio.o...on/index.shtml

I do not know anything about singing, choirs etc. It appears the St. Thomas choir in the video above is singing the five lines below. And that's all they sing. No more, no less. Is that correct?

Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden?
Eröffne den feurigen Abgrund, o Hölle,
Zertrümmre, verderbe, verschlinge, zerschelle
Mit plötzlicher Wut
Den falschen Verräter, das mördrische Blut!

Have you seen this choir and Mr. Biller? Mr. Biller is quite extraordinary to be able to control about 100 singers and 30+ instruments. I counted the groups. In the video above it appears there are 5 from bass to soprano all singing at a different time until the end when they all merge.

If I visit Germany I shall have to make it a point to visit this church and hear this choir. Thanks again.

[Corno Dolce]

Hi PWS,

Thats all what they sing in that short *movement*. I have heard the Thomaskirche Choirs sing Bach on a number of occasions. Visiting Thomaskirche in Leipzig and experiencing live the music of JSBach is a treat for those who are infatuated with the music of JSBach. I am one of those

How's your command of the German language? Do check out the following website:

http://www.thomaskirche.org/neu/index.php

Download the Thomasbriefe - then scroll down till you see "Termine" - there you'll find whats going on. You can subscribe to the Thomasbriefe if you wish.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[Contratrombone64]

Ah the St. Matthew Passion. I've been fortunate enough to have been involved in three performances (all times lead viola of orchestra two). It's a harrowing work, so deep, so tragic, so emotionally draining. Loved every bar of it ... such a massive journey for all performers.

attached is the opening (orchestra one not shown here as it's identical to orchestra two).

[Fretless]

I had the honor of performing this when I was in college as leader of the second violin section of Orchestra I. We had four players in each violin section. I thought it was pretty good then and have only grown to appreciate it more since.

I remember one rehearsal, where at our given break time all three of my section mates skipped the second half of rehearsal to go do other things, leaving me alone and to face the questions of the conductor about my section's desertion. Even though it's "just Bach" (i.e. not as technically demanding as whatever concerto they were working on), it's such an honor and rare treat to play, you'd think someone would want to spend as much time as they could immersed in it.

[Contratrombone64]

Fretless - I assume it was an amateur (meaning not paid) rehearsal. Professionals would just not do that, no matter how easy the music. In my humble opinion, the difficulty with Bach is ensemble and tenderness of phrasing in the strings. All the more reason to be there for all rehearsals.

[Fretless]

Fretless - I assume it was an amateur (meaning not paid) rehearsal. Professionals would just not do that, no matter how easy the music. In my humble opinion, the difficulty with Bach is ensemble and tenderness of phrasing in the strings. All the more reason to be there for all rehearsals.

Correct, ContraT--it was my university chamber ensemble, so all that was involved as incentive was an attendance grade. On top of that, our normal conductor was not conducting that concert, instead we had the venerable 70-something Choral Union conductor, who was a bit infirm, a bit slow on the podium, and definitely not the imposing figure our regular guy was. The behavior was still inexcusable, even as students--they had a commitment to the section, the ensemble, the conductor, and of course the piece itself.

[Rod Corkin]

Discuss.

I'd say Beethoven's Gloria from his Missa Solemnis is light years ahead of this piece, as are indeed the other sections of the Missa. Or dozens of Handel's choruses!