Word: bach
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...throughout the many roles. Some of the singers, unfortunately, had enunciation problems, and several times during the evening the words were completely lost. Victor Yellin, whose enthusiasm made the production possible, did a fine job coordinating, directing, and conducting the music. He kept the singers in balance with the Bach Society Orchestra, while keeping the orchestral tone both subdued and clear...
...music of Joel Mandelbaum acts as more than a bright decoration of the plot since the composer has a really brilliant sense for musical parodies. In the course of the show he spoofs English madrigals and Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs, with a small comment on Bach chorals thrown in between. His talent, however, is no less evident in some warm long songs and the music for the large production numbers. For these ballet scenes, Liz Keen contributes some amazingly expert choreography...
Alfred Deller, Counter-tenor, sings these works now usually sung by contraltos, but in Bach's day by boys. Deller has an amazingly pure voice, much like a child's in quality yet capable of handling the difficult Bach vocal line. He is accompanied by a small Baroque orchestra, and the combination is probably quite close to the music's original sound. The recording is difficult to appreciate on the first hearing, but the result is a wonderful kind of impersonal exaltation. (Bach Guild...
...BACH: Two Violin Concerti...
This is one of the all time great violin records. David Oistrakh and Isaac Stern each play a Bach Concerto, then they join for the Vivaldi. Eugene Ormandy keeps the Philadelphia Orchestra incisive and alive. Oistrakh and Stern are each at their best, and make a surprisingly cooperative team...