rite-of-spring

A fest of claviers and pagan rituals | CBW22

oana June 2, 2019 No Comments
3. French Suite no. 5 in G major, BWV 816 by Johann Sebastian Bach

This is the fifth French suite written by Bach for harpsichord in the 1720s’. Their purpose was for teaching, being practice pieces which have some complexity without being over demanding at the same time. This is most likely the reason why they were never published by Bach, keeping them for his private use as they weren’t particularly intricate or meaningful enough to present them at court.… Read more

Masses, Carnivals and Opera | CBW09

oana March 3, 2019 No Comments
Honorouble mention: “Missa prolationum” by Johannes Ockeghem

Johannes Ockeghem was a major composer of early Renaissance, having served as singer and composer in Paris, at the court of three French kings in the second half of the 15th century. Complex polyphonies, emphasis on bass lines and freely composed melodies (the norm then was to borrow pre-existing songs) are the key elements that mark him as one of the most influential musicians of his time, and “Missa prolationum” encompasses all of them.… Read more