An Hysteric Return: P.D.Q. Bach at Carnegie Hall

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Free Music Notes for An Hysteric Return: P.D.Q. Bach at Carnegie Hall

Free Music Review: Probably the funniest PDQ Bach recording ever made...
Hit: 5 Stars

My former composition tutor possesses a copy of the first item in the programme, "The Seasonings," an oratorio that can best be described as a crazy fusion of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" and Handel's "Messiah." Hearing that score come to life in this recording had me laughing just as much as the live audience: particular moments including the line "Soothsayer, say unto me the sooth," and the aria "Open Sesame seeds" for solo bass (which includes a passage that is physically impossible to sing unless you happen to be a Russian octavist!). The programme closes with the "Pervertimento" (not the composer's own title, apparently) for bicycle, droneless bagpipes and balloons with kazoos attached. This too is an utter hilarity: the entrance of the wheezy bicycle siren in the second movement (over implacably graceful string music) never fails to evoke a giggle! In between these two works comes one of Peter Schickele's own works: "The Unbegun Symphony" which consists of a minuet and a finale but nothing else. This is not as arresting as the other two works, but it fills up the programme very well, complementing the PDQ Bach items and providing no less amusing moments.

If you only ever buy one PDQ Bach record, it might as well be this one. Endless fun, particularly for musicians who like to take the plunge now and then...

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