Those Bachs–J.C., W.F., and old Johann Nicolaus–were some funny guys! (Sorry, no P.D.Q. here.) It seems when this well-extended family got together–grandfathers, uncles, sons, brothers, and all the womenfolk–there was much musicmaking and apparently an abundance of hilarity to go with all the food and wine they reportedly consumed. This disc attempts to give us a taste, so to speak, of some of the humorous trifles concocted by these otherwise quite serious composers. The fun begins with a singspiel by Nicolaus, son of Johann Christoph. Its title, The Wine and Beer Crier of Jena, more or less says it all, but more specifically the story concerns a couple of college students and their evening at a tavern, which of course turns crude of language and unmannerly of action. The four male singers, accompanied by two violins and continuo, illustrate the German texts with colorful vocal inflections and other interpretive gestures that fully exploit the humor and dramatic possibilities of the story. One amusing moment is in the tavern-keeper’s aria, where he compares the boys to apes, imitating everything they see, following which he attempts to sing rapid 16th-note octave leaps, mimicking what the violins have just played.
There are many other such musical “jokes”; but much of the “fun” lies in the texts of pieces such as W.F. Bach’s comic duet The Poet and his Composer (making fun of artistic creation), or The Rule Book (concerning a grumbling, difficult man who makes the mistake of criticizing his wife’s housekeeping). None of this is great music, but it does have a certain charm and serves to remind us that these long-ago musicians were people too. The very fine performers all seem to take this stuff about as seriously as it deserves–that is, they imbue their lines with lighthearted spirit and engaging character, treating the music with care and never forgetting that this is entertainment. The closest to a legitimate concert piece is the disc’s final work, a “wedding dialogue” for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, chorus, and strings, by J.C. Bach. With texts based on the Song of Solomon, it somehow ends up being more about drinking and feasting than heartfelt lovers’ sentiments. Oh well. The sound is bright, vibrant, clear, and well balanced. “Prost!”
