The St John Passion part is a very odd duck. It exists in several sources. It could also be for lautenwerk in teast one of the sources. It plays fine on the archlute, especially if you have a dedicated E Flat, but other tunings/instruments are fine as well, though the high notes ligh easily on the archlute.
The main issue as far as historical performance is concerned is the bassono grosso. You need a really good player with the right instrument--the big one. When it is right, it really is the coolest sound. In an acoustically challenged environment, consider having the cello play the bass notes. Not ideal, but OK with modern orchestra. The d minor version is interesting as well. One should also consider playing in a different reference pitch, depending on the instrument dt At 03:02 PM 9/4/2007, you wrote: >Dear David > >On what type of lute will you play the Betrachte? I have a tab somewhere for >archlute, but with some scordatura in the bass, beware. Better play from the >score, it's easier that way. A bit weird to do this aria without the viola >d'amore, though, they make all the beautiful dissonances. > >You might put it Schlummert ein in a transposition, it goes well with just >lute, and has some substance: recit and lengthy aria. Beautiful piece. Bist >du bei mir, obviously mandatory repertoire and your audience will love it. >There's a solo bass cantate with obligato cembalo you can play: Amore >traditore BWV 203. I did, it works on lute. I like to play Wachet auf, but >I've only done that with a tenor and I don't know how that would work out >transposed for bass singer. Should be ok, I guess, fourth down. Makes a >great concert >piece too. > >Let me know if you're in need of scores, I can email you at least some in >transpositions for bass. > >Bach aria's with just lute, no bowed bass, are not easy. It's hard work. > >David > > >**************************** >David van Ooijen >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >www.davidvanooijen.nl >**************************** > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "David Rastall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "lutelist Net" <[email protected]> >Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:13 PM >Subject: [LUTE] St. John Passion > > > > Dear luters, > > > > I know we've discussed the topic of the lute part in "Betrachte Meine > > Seele" from the SJP before, but at the time I never paid much > > attention. Well, I've been asked to perform this with a bass > > soloist, and so I'm now paying close attention to whatever I can find > > out about it! > > > > Is there a written-out lute part available somewhere? I could > > intabulate it directly from the piano reduction, but a part already > > realized would be a huge help. Also, the singer wants to know if I > > can suggest a second Bach aria to act as a companion-piece to > > "Betrachte Meine Seele," probably to be performed with just the lute > > continuo only: preferably Bach, or something that would fit into a > > program of High Baroque arias. I don't know much about the vocal > > solo repertoire of the High Baroque, especially as it relates to the > > lute. Anyone got any ideas????? > > > > Best wishes, > > > > David Rastall > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
