Subject: | |
From: | |
Date: | Sun, 7 Feb 1999 16:51:53 PST |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
On another thread, Mr. Smyth indicated that the power of Bach's music was
based on his use of polyphony. I took this as representing Mr. Smyth's
"big picture" of what makes Bach great. I was listening last night to vol.
9 of the BIS/Bach cantata series; in particular, I was finding a few of the
fast/powerful choral passages quite thrilling. All of a sudden, I realized
that Mr. Smyth might have only been referring to those parts of Bach works
where intense power dominated.
Concerning those parts, I definitely agree that the polyphony is the
cornerstone of the power. Bach utilizes it so masterfully, as he mazimizes
the music's intensity. Much of the thrill I felt was a direct result of
the polyphony.
I don't want to leave the impression that I find no significance in Bach's
polyphony in other genres. It's a major facet of his solo keyboard works,
and the Art of the Fugue and Musical Offering benefit greatly through its
use.
Don Satz
[log in to unmask]
|
|
|