I had to endure one of those ghastly pop hymns this morning, something called "Gentle Woman," about Mary. And of course every Sunday my ears are assaulted by psalm settings - horribly clunky recitative and refrain jobs - written by one Owen Alstott, my candidate for the worst composer who has ever lived
Merry Christmas,
ReplyDeleteA Wonderful New York Tradition at 89.9 FM and streamed on the net from Columbia University:
WKCR Presents: Bach Festival 2007
Facets of Bach
9:30 AM December 24, 2007 - 2:00 AM January 1, 2008
The Classical Department of WKCR-FM presents the annual Bach Festival 2007. For the full duration of the week running from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day, WKCR (89.9 FM and wkcr.org) will dedicate all broadcasting to the music and influence of Johann Sebastian Bach. The BachFest has been a tradition at WKCR for over twenty years, and this year's festival promises to be one of the best.
Few composers are better loved and none more highly respected than J.S. Bach. He has inspired an unparalleled academic tradition and a large international community dedicated to exploring, performing and appreciating his work, from the solo suites to the Christmas Oratorio. Eight days is not enough time to play all of J.S. Bach's works, let alone to do justice to their full range and variety; each day of BachFest promises to deliver something new.
BachFest 2007: The Facets of Bach will examine the many lenses through which J.S. Bach has been understood and performed over the last three hundred years. All roads lead back to Bach and we'll travel many of them. Bach's unique role within the classical tradition provides a fascinating framework for concentrated study and also for just plain listening to the many performances of his masterpieces.
Good to hear from you again, Joe! Have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.
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