![]() There is always a lazy if understandable temptation to view the output of the greatest composers in a vacuum. If the article inspires knowledgeable readers to suggest their own choices, it will only benefit Bach and those who would know him better. Those with in-depth knowledge will inevitably scan through the selection muttering to themselves ‘How could he have left out the wonderful number this or that’. As such it is inevitably highly personal. The final choice is based on those cantatas and discs that I believe will provide the most rewarding introduction to the non-specialist. The present article is addressed to those who fall into this category. It has long seemed apparent that there would be many who would welcome guidance on putting together a core collection of the cantatas, a selective group of discs that would enable their owner to become thoroughly familiar with, say, some ten or fifteen works. Yet past personal experience has shown that while many would like to explore at least a part of this marvellous repertoire, the sheer mass of music involved is so daunting as to deter any but the real enthusiast or an intrepid few from such an all inclusive approach. Today there is no difficulty gaining access to the cantatas on disc in addition to several complete sets, the catalogues boast dozens of individual recordings performed in a wide variety of styles.īut where to start? Those with deep pockets and unlimited time on their hands could, of course, simply buy one of the complete sets now on offer (some at relatively modest cost) and work their way gradually through. It is not going too far to say that without knowledge of at least a representative cross-section of those 200 cantatas, we cannot arrive at any real understanding of one of the greatest of all composers. While we may enjoy the odd revival of a cantata by Graupner or Telemann, both fine composers admired by Bach himself, their output is never going to play a major part in the lives of all but a few specialists. A formidable figure, yet not remarkable by the standards of the day – the output of composers such as Graupner (with a total of some 2000 cantatas) and Telemann could be considered to make Bach look lazy. Five? Six? Beyond that you’re doing well and if the answer is more than a dozen you may want to move on to reading another article on this site!īach composed probably around 300 cantatas, of which about 200 are extant today. How many of Bach’s cantatas can you honestly say you know? Not just heard, but know. John Passions play an important part in your life. Hopefully the Mass in B minor and the St. As an early music enthusiast you almost certainly know the Brandenburg Concertos and are familiar with the four Orchestral Suites. ![]() Bach, the body of works that stands at the very heart of his output. No more notable example exists than that of the cantatas of J.S. It is one of the best examples of how Tchaikovsky was a master of orchestration and one of Tchaikovsky’s best works.Within the output of certain composers there are seminal groups of works whose sheer volume has ensured for them neglect out of all proportion to their value. The 1812 Overture (1880), Tchaikovsky’s most famous work, tells the story of Napoleon’s defeat at the hands of the Russian army, via the ‘Marseillaise’ and the ‘Russian Imperial Hymn’, climaxing in a majestic celebration of cannon fire. ![]() Listen to the best of Tchaikovsky on Apple Music and Spotify. ![]() Tchaikovsky’s music combines beautiful melodies, impressive harmonies, and colorful orchestrations. He turned to literary and dramatic sources, including Shakespeare, for a number of orchestral compositions. 6, the ‘Pathétique’, is one of the great symphonic masterpieces of all time. 1 is one of the the most popular concertos ever written and his Symphony No. His works include symphonies, concertos, operas, ballet, and chamber music. He wrote many very popular classical works including the 1812 Overture and three ballets – Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular Russian composer of all time.
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