Review (PDF) St. Matthew Passion In Full Score (Dover Music Scores)
One of the most performed and recorded of Bach's major works, the St. Matthew Passion has been a focal point of concert seasons and festivals around the world for over 150 years. First performed in the late 1720s, it is a drama of epic grandeur, long considered the noblest, most inspired musical treatment of the story of the crucifixion of Christ. Bach set the text, based on two chapters from the Gospel of St. Matthew, using a large ensemble of two choruses, soloists, and two orchestras. The full score is reprinted here from the fine edition prepared by the Bach-Gesellschaft.Although the St. Matthew Passion is often held to be the apotheosis of Lutheran church music, this magnificent oratorio reaches out to its audience in the language, form, and spirit of opera. Richly dramatic and theatrical, following the general form of Baroque opera, it unfolds its deeply moving story in recitatives, ariosos, arias, chorales, and mighty choral movements. This finely produced score offers music lovers the opportunity — at a price far lower than comparable editions — to follow performances score in hand, and to gain a more intimate knowledge of the rich musical textures of this great masterwork.
Series: Dover Music Scores
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; Reprint edition (February 1, 1990)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 048626257X
ISBN-13: 978-0486262574
Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #678,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #28 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Requiems & Oratorios #142 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Baroque #143 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Ballet & Dance
I love what Dover has been doing to make their scores more useful. In the print version, the volumes are large, the paper is good and rich, the printing is excellent, and the scores lie flat, whether on a table or at the piano. I bought the Kindle version of this because I thought it would be handy to read while listening. It is not. The Kindle version of this score is, quite literally, useless. It is too tiny to read and cannot be resized. I cannot judge the content because I cannot read it. I suspect that the print version is totally acceptable, based on my experience with a number of their scores in the recent past. Get that, not the Kindle version. Too bad.
Dover Publications did a fine job in presenting this material. I feel that is an excellent companion to the recording, and would be perfect as part of a set: The Great Choral Works. Shortly after purchasing this book, I also purchased the St. John's Score, Christmas Oratorio score and Mass in b score- I never want to close them!
This can't be used on the kindle app for an android tablet. Its a set of tiny images and its not possible to follow along while listening.
Good edition.
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