All Things Bach

April 26, 2010 at 2:46 AM

This afternoon, my church put on an All Bach recital: "Bach's Priceless Treasures". The program consisted of the Fugue in D major BWV 532, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 BWV 1050, "Suscepit Israel" from the Magnifcat BWV 243 and "Jesu Meine Freude" Motet No. 3 BWV 227.

Our organist/pianist received a boisterous applause for the Fugue on the Hook and Hastings Organ. The choir undertook the challenge of the Motet and delivered a stunning performance. The trio of sopranos and alto in the Magnifcat was magnificent.

Closest to my heart though was the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. We had a rocky start trying to find the additional violinists needed to complete the ensemble. Coordinating rehearsal schedules for 10 musicians was a challenge. However, we were able to carve out times that most everyone was able to rehearse together a few times before the concert. It was only just minutes before the recital that we rehearsed a few measures from each movement as a complete group on our assigned instruments (we had some flip-flopping going on between violin & viola).

After the end of the first movement, we received a rounding applause. I had to suppress a chuckle when our soloist on violin said "But wait! There's More!" after the applause died down before continuing on to the second and third movements. The congregation has no scruples when it comes to showing their appreciation, even between movements.

We are truly blessed to have so many amazing musicians at our church, from the choir to instrumentalists.

From Marsha Weaver
Posted on April 27, 2010 at 2:17 PM

Mendy --

It just doesn't get any better than the Bach Brandenburg Concertos!!! I'm on a quest to obtain recordings of them by as many different ensembles as I can find.

Whenever I'm stressed, cranky, sleepy -- simply not in the best frame of mind for whatever reason(s) -- the Brandenburgs will restore my mental equilibrium like nothing else can. Great choice for your all-Bach program!!!

Marsha

From Christina C.
Posted on April 27, 2010 at 3:31 PM

So in the natural progression of things, your group should do B-burg #6 next, right?

From Mendy Smith
Posted on April 29, 2010 at 2:45 AM

Christina,

I certainly hope so. My "stand-partner-in-crime" and I have been working on #6 for nearly a year now. It's getting better day by day, but still not yet to the level that I would want to perform it at.

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