Bach, the Mass in B minor : the great Catholic Mass / George B. Stauffer.

Author/creator Stauffer, George B., 1947-
Format Book
Publication InfoNew York : Schirmer ; London : Prentice Hall, ©1997.
Descriptionxiv, 309 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Subjects
Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750. Masses, BWV 232, B minor.

SeriesMonuments of western music
Monuments of western music. ^A363346
Contents The late Baroque church mass: Catholic and Lutheran. The Catholic mass ordinary ; Musical developments in the Baroque ; Lutheran practices in Leipzig ; Mass writing in Dresden -- The composition of the B-Minor Mass. Bach in Leipzig (1723-1750) ; New directions: Bach's late compositional practices ; Preparatory steps: the Sanctus of 1724, the Missa of 1733, Credo studies ; Missa tota: the composition of the B-Minor Mass -- The Kyrie and Gloria. General considerations ; The music of the Kyrie ; The music of the Gloria -- The Credo. General considerations ; The music of the Credo -- The Sanctus and Agnus Dei. General considerations ; The music of the Sanctus ; The music of the Agnus Dei -- The B-Minor Mass after Bach's death: survival, revival, and reinterpretation. The survival of the manuscript materials ; A curiosity for connoisseurs (1750-1800) ; A second Missa solemnis for choral societies (the nineteenth century) ; The growing issue of original forces (the twentieth century) -- Issues of performance practice. Instrumental and vocal forces ; The use of concertists and ripienists in chorus movements ; Continuo practices ; Colla parte scoring in the "Credo" and "Confiteor" ; Tempo matters ; Articulation ; Lombard rhythm in the "Domine Deus" ; Pronunciation of the Latin text -- "The great Catholic mass". The work as a whole: style, structure, and unity ; Why a mass ordinary? ; The universality of the B-Minor Mass -- A word on modern editions.
Abstract "The greatest musical artwork for all times and all people": so Hans Georg Nageli described Johann Sebastian Bach's B-Minor Mass in 1818, and through the years the world's listeners have strongly affirmed his verdict. No other work transcends the boundaries of sacred and secular so powerfully; no other work displays Bach's powers of compositional refinement and stylistic synthesis so clearly and on such a grand scale. At the same time, the B-Minor Mass has emerged as an enigmatic piece. When was it composed? What was its purpose? How is it to be performed? How much of its music is original? Historians have wrestled with these questions for over one hundred years, and modern research has raised further issues. The recent study of Dresden Mass practices suggests that Bach used contemporary Catholic models to a greater degree than previously thought. The "one on a part" approach to Bach's choir has brought into question the tradition of large-scale performances. And the recent discovery of an early version of the "Credo" movement opens anew the question of compositional process. Taking these issues into account, the present volume reevaluates the complex history of the B-Minor Mass and examines in depth its remarkable music. Chapter 1 surveys the roots of the Mass Ordinary text and its treatment in musical settings that were known to Bach. Chapter 2 examines the events that led to the writing of the B-Minor Mass. Chapter 3 to 5 are devoted to a detailed inspection of the music, incorporating the new knowledge of Bach's late compositional habits and Mass conventions in Dresden. Chapter 6 follows the performance history of the Mass to the present day. Chapter 7 weighs specific issues of performance practice, and Chapter 8 attempts to pinpoint those qualities that give the B-Minor Mass its universal appeal, that make it indeed a work of art "for all times and all people."
Local noteLittle-309987--305131014143Q
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 271-298) and index.
LCCN 96027495
ISBN0028724755 (alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Music Stacks ML410.B13 S75 1997 ✔ Available Place Hold