Understanding baroque music

[hao nao]

The people playing the first bit seem to be in a bit of a hurry.
I really like the second version much better.

Groet, Erik

I'm with you ... the first is too fast for me ... I don't like to get that excited

I like the sound of the second one better ... to me it's at a more human pace and more evocative of people and rooms

@herodotus: thanks for the tip re the Bukofzer book ... just ordered it

and thanks to all for a cool, educational thread

[VicDiesel]

Sample2: I Musici

A couple of decades ago, weren't they considered "authentic baroque"?

I think I've seen them live, and the ensemble was considerably smaller than what this sounds. What I mostly remember from that concert were the horrible intonation problems of the strings going sharp and the harpsichord staying steady.

[hao nao]

Wopelka, those period clothes suit you well

[Wopelka]

havran,

you're right, i did record these partitas, too.

[james0tucson]

All we have is sheet music.

We have considerably more than just sheet music. There is an enormous volume of literature that was written about the music, and there's also an oral tradition of education that continues across the generations since the Baroque era. Granted we're a lot closer to the Classical era (only about 6 generations), but the period is not so ancient as to be lost of forgotten!

[Wopelka]

Sample2: I Musici

A couple of decades ago, weren't they considered "authentic baroque"?

I think I've seen them live, and the ensemble was considerably smaller than what this sounds. What I mostly remember from that concert were the horrible intonation problems of the strings going sharp and the harpsichord staying steady.

as far as i know, they were considered as excellent in Vivaldi in their days. smaller ensemble, knowing their stuff. this recording is still considered as a great classic for l'Estro Armonico.

however it belongs to a realm outside the new (new in their times: 60's) baroque-mania trend, ancient instruments, performance based on researches in music history, etc.

http://www.imusici.info/homeng.html

[Wopelka]

blitze

Tous les matins du monde soundtrack for some wonderful French pre Baroque music especially the vocal pieces.

Tous Les Matins du Monde!

You are the only other person I know besides me who has this film. I have it on VHS, and have the DVD on back order for when it's released digitally.

i have it too...

i've watched it again.
from the first scene to the end, i think i sheded at least one liter of tears.

don't know why it moves me so much...

mirror of my soul, somehow.

[hao nao]

I hope that movie does turn up in DVD in our encoding over here

besides that, just wanted to bump and respond because this thread really has stirred something up in me ... a greater appreciation the next time round the spiral

aside from the Bukofzer book for context(s) I have ordered some recordings by Pinnock and Biondi and will keep the other people mentioned above in mind as well ... doesn't hurt to expand the palate

have had baroque music in my head the past few days, even though I haven't played any through the speakers

and wrt Kevvvvv's "excited to be there":

with my sketchy understanding, a notion I'm getting about Baroque music compared to other euro periods is that generally at any tempo it's celebratory and convivial, maybe even the sacred and secular dancing together in balance

btw, I have been thinking of getting a viola for a while, even if I have to make pencil marks ... I should probably just get a bucket to go with that, right?

not in mockery, but in appreciation

[typo edited]

[herodotus]

@herodotus: thanks for the tip re the Bukofzer book ... just ordered it

Hey, well, anytime my 'vast store of useless infomation' (a quote from an old bandmate who just didn't understand how a drummer could read latin) is useful to someone I feel.....well.....useful.

Blume is also a great writer on the era. (As you can see, I like the old guys. The level of humanistic scholarship was just plain higher back then, IMHO).

Have fun!