Mahler...inside Bach?

[bwv1080]

[English is not my mother language]


When, some years ago, I first listened to Bach's recitative "Der glocken bebendes geton" from the Trauerode BWV198 [in the Teldec edition of Bach's cantatas], I had the sensation that something "mahlerian" was going on in that piece of music (or, rather, to make sense historically: that Mahler could have got some influences from it).
In particular, I had the sensation that an atmosphere similar to the one in Mahler's fourth symphony was in the air....

Do you have the same sensation?

Does this impression have any ground, or is it only a nonsensical fantasia of mine?

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha BWV1080,

Oh yes, Mahler knew about JSBach and his Olympian compositional prowess. So, you are not too far off-base.

Cheerio,

CD

 

[Robert Newman]

[English is not my mother language]


When, some years ago, I first listened to Bach's recitative "Der glocken bebendes geton" from the Trauerode BWV198 [in the Teldec edition of Bach's cantatas], I had the sensation that something "mahlerian" was going on in that piece of music (or, rather, to make sense historically: that Mahler could have got some influences from it).
In particular, I had the sensation that an atmosphere similar to the one in Mahler's fourth symphony was in the air....

Do you have the same sensation?

Does this impression have any ground, or is it only a nonsensical fantasia of mine?

Thanks very much for this. Yes, you make a very perceptive comment. Bach's Cantata 198 is of course a remarkable funeral cantata and the Mahler 4th symphony in G ends with vocal/orchestral music focusing on innocent children in paradise. Almost certainly Mahler knew this Bach cantata as you suggest. The recitative (and the aria which follows it) portrays time passing (like a clock ticking) and the mortality of this life.

But I never linked the two works until you pointed out the connection. Thanks.

Robert

 

[Art Rock]

[English is not my mother language]


When, some years ago, I first listened to Bach's recitative "Der glocken bebendes geton" from the Trauerode BWV198 [in the Teldec edition of Bach's cantatas], I had the sensation that something "mahlerian" was going on in that piece of music (or, rather, to make sense historically: that Mahler could have got some influences from it).
In particular, I had the sensation that an atmosphere similar to the one in Mahler's fourth symphony was in the air....

Do you have the same sensation?

Does this impression have any ground, or is it only a nonsensical fantasia of mine?

Just my luck. Bach and Mahler are two of my three favourite composers, so my curiosity was peaked. I have over 100 CD's of Bach. This cantata is not on them.

 

[Robert Newman]

Hi there Art Rock,

OK, I will try to post some of the most remarkable movements in BWV 198 in the next few days.

Regards