Das Neugeborne Kindelein by Dietrich Buxtehude
I hereby preëmptively and passionately declare today to be:
DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE DAY!
'Why?', you may ask. Why because today should have been the day of Sonoma Bach's 2022 Organ Recital, 'The Incomparable Herr Buxtehude', a celebration of the life and works of one of the great masters of the early Baroque style, who (in addition to being fabulous in his own right) was a sort of spirit guide to our dearly beloved (and eponymous) Johann Sebastian Bach.
As many of you know, the Omicron Variant put the kibosh upon our plans; but we have pivoted almost instantly to a plan B (for Buxtehude): Our recital, including the inimitable organist Anne Laver, the divine vocal soloists Chris Fritzsche and Dianna Morgan, and the one and only Sonoma Bach Choir, will be performed on the evening of Wednesday, June 8.
Even so, I've been feeling that we should mark today somehow. Talk about a Zeitgeist! Just as I had settled upon a great Buxtehude piece to feature in today's post, what should appear in my inbox but a message from Annie with the subject line 'Video for SBC'. Here's her message to all of us:
I hope you are doing well. I wish I was with you this week, but look forward to our time together in June. I made a little video for the Sonoma Bach Choir and invite you to share it with them and/or your email list. Thinking of you, Annie
Click the link. It will make you happy!
-----
In addition to Annie's wonderful offering, I am pleased to present to you today Buxtehude's Christmas cantata, 'Das neugeborne Kindelein', in a crackerjack performance by La Petite Bande.
'Das neugeborne Kindelein' began life as a chorale, with melody and lyrics by Cyriakus Schneegaß, first published in 1597. We've already taken a look at the chorale when several weeks ago we examined Bach's Cantata 122, which is based thereupon.
Buxtehude took a different approach: He made a brand-new setting of the text, without including the melody of the chorale. His Christmas cantata is an extended meditation upon the four-verse poem, in which the Nativity is evoked in joyful and eager terms, urging us to rise up and sing, celebrate and render thanks and praise.
Perhaps the first thing to do is to simply listen--here's a link to that performance mentioned above. You'll immediately notice the string band, the wonderful ensemble of soloists, the rockin' tempo, the dotted rhythms, the interludes between verses, all the glad sounds.
Then take a look at the score, attached hereto. I have transcribed the English translation into the score, so you can follow Buxtehude as, inspired, he adapts his music to the mood and message and nuances of each verse and each line thereof. I love the heartfelt feel of the poem, so fresh and direct. And Buxtehude has brought this special feel to vivid musical life. The music is fun--and joyous--and deep--all at the same time.
And then, if and when you're ready, lift your own voice along with the recording. Perhaps take a single verse and make it your own, practicing a bit till you have it down. Pretend you're singing live with actual human beings! It's sure to do you good, and might even do a little good for the world.
If you'd like to go further, you could create a little Buxtehude Festival right in the privacy of your own home. It's so easy to find recordings--just go to youtube.com and type in 'Buxtehude'. You'll find a vast array of both studio and live performances. If you find a piece you really like, go to cpdl.org or to imslp.org and see if you can find a score to read along with.
Listen! Explore! Live! Share! Love! Thrive!
I hereby preëmptively and passionately declare today to be:
DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE DAY!
'Why?', you may ask. Why because today should have been the day of Sonoma Bach's 2022 Organ Recital, 'The Incomparable Herr Buxtehude', a celebration of the life and works of one of the great masters of the early Baroque style, who (in addition to being fabulous in his own right) was a sort of spirit guide to our dearly beloved (and eponymous) Johann Sebastian Bach.
As many of you know, the Omicron Variant put the kibosh upon our plans; but we have pivoted almost instantly to a plan B (for Buxtehude): Our recital, including the inimitable organist Anne Laver, the divine vocal soloists Chris Fritzsche and Dianna Morgan, and the one and only Sonoma Bach Choir, will be performed on the evening of Wednesday, June 8.
Even so, I've been feeling that we should mark today somehow. Talk about a Zeitgeist! Just as I had settled upon a great Buxtehude piece to feature in today's post, what should appear in my inbox but a message from Annie with the subject line 'Video for SBC'. Here's her message to all of us:
I hope you are doing well. I wish I was with you this week, but look forward to our time together in June. I made a little video for the Sonoma Bach Choir and invite you to share it with them and/or your email list. Thinking of you, Annie
Click the link. It will make you happy!
-----
In addition to Annie's wonderful offering, I am pleased to present to you today Buxtehude's Christmas cantata, 'Das neugeborne Kindelein', in a crackerjack performance by La Petite Bande.
'Das neugeborne Kindelein' began life as a chorale, with melody and lyrics by Cyriakus Schneegaß, first published in 1597. We've already taken a look at the chorale when several weeks ago we examined Bach's Cantata 122, which is based thereupon.
Buxtehude took a different approach: He made a brand-new setting of the text, without including the melody of the chorale. His Christmas cantata is an extended meditation upon the four-verse poem, in which the Nativity is evoked in joyful and eager terms, urging us to rise up and sing, celebrate and render thanks and praise.
Perhaps the first thing to do is to simply listen--here's a link to that performance mentioned above. You'll immediately notice the string band, the wonderful ensemble of soloists, the rockin' tempo, the dotted rhythms, the interludes between verses, all the glad sounds.
Then take a look at the score, attached hereto. I have transcribed the English translation into the score, so you can follow Buxtehude as, inspired, he adapts his music to the mood and message and nuances of each verse and each line thereof. I love the heartfelt feel of the poem, so fresh and direct. And Buxtehude has brought this special feel to vivid musical life. The music is fun--and joyous--and deep--all at the same time.
And then, if and when you're ready, lift your own voice along with the recording. Perhaps take a single verse and make it your own, practicing a bit till you have it down. Pretend you're singing live with actual human beings! It's sure to do you good, and might even do a little good for the world.
If you'd like to go further, you could create a little Buxtehude Festival right in the privacy of your own home. It's so easy to find recordings--just go to youtube.com and type in 'Buxtehude'. You'll find a vast array of both studio and live performances. If you find a piece you really like, go to cpdl.org or to imslp.org and see if you can find a score to read along with.
Listen! Explore! Live! Share! Love! Thrive!