BACH B MINOR MASS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 720, 1 May 1953, Page 5

BACH B MINOR MASS

Sir.-Why must those who adhere to a doctrine of purism force it on works from periods where comiposers relied to a large extent on performers’ discretion for interpretation and instrumental medium? The Christchurch performance of the Bach B Minor Mass on April 13 shows curious anomalies in its adherence and divergence from this commonly held approach to 17th and 18th Century composers’ works. In the Qui Sedes we have a solo violin substitute for ‘oboe d’amore in a part perfectly tailored for the modern oboe; two violins unison in lieu of the horn in Quoniarn tu solus sanctus. In spite of these and other instrumental adaptions to local conditions the trumpet is allowed to make a fiasco of the Gloria. Instead of the triumphant heraldry of this wonderful assertion, we are treated to a woebegone brass, blurting its weary way just the odd octave below its appointed place. Why not clarinet and flute, or perhaps* E flat clarinet on its own? These instruments in their top register can be almost as brilliant as the Bach trumpet built to play these parts. The trouble is, no less a person than Toscanini has been bitten hard and often by the purist for his substitution of clarinet for trumpet when the occasion demanded, on the grounds that "Clarino" means "little trumpet" anyway. Surely a slight loss of tone colour igs preferable to the ludicrous effect of placing such a strident entry below its supporting harmony. We have not profited from the improvements to our woodwind and brass over the last two cerituries if we display the lack of forethought and -commonsense shown on this occasion.

R. S.

T.

(Raumati).