The Long & Short Rhythms Originally Present in Older Hymns - You might be thinking, “‘Rhythmic Hymnody’, isn’t that an oxymoron in the likes of ‘political science’ or ‘the sound of silence’?”
Wow, I have only sung the complex rhythmic version of "Comfort, Comfort" and I had no idea that simplified quarter note version existed! I do not like that! The original has so much bounce and energy.
Have I understood? So, The “simplified” Bach versions worked because of the musical sophistication of Bach’s day with complexity of harmonies and passing tones. We’ve lost that sophistication so we’re left with a dullness. It’s akin to what Prof Anthony Esolen says about the text of the hymns. In the past the writing of poetry was sophisticated so the text of hymns was beautiful. Poetry today is not sophisticated hence modern texts of hymns are clunky, unimaginative and unbeautiful.
Hi, Amy. You are close. I love the Bach versions but I’m not calling them the simplified rhythmic versions. They are the more evened out versions that are glorious but less accessible than the rhythmic originals. Wisdom needs to be applied as to when to use which version. The rhythmic original version is accessible while not being watered down like Dr. Esolen rightly observes about many hymn texts.
Wow, I have only sung the complex rhythmic version of "Comfort, Comfort" and I had no idea that simplified quarter note version existed! I do not like that! The original has so much bounce and energy.
Have I understood? So, The “simplified” Bach versions worked because of the musical sophistication of Bach’s day with complexity of harmonies and passing tones. We’ve lost that sophistication so we’re left with a dullness. It’s akin to what Prof Anthony Esolen says about the text of the hymns. In the past the writing of poetry was sophisticated so the text of hymns was beautiful. Poetry today is not sophisticated hence modern texts of hymns are clunky, unimaginative and unbeautiful.
Hi, Amy. You are close. I love the Bach versions but I’m not calling them the simplified rhythmic versions. They are the more evened out versions that are glorious but less accessible than the rhythmic originals. Wisdom needs to be applied as to when to use which version. The rhythmic original version is accessible while not being watered down like Dr. Esolen rightly observes about many hymn texts.
Oh. I did kind of wonder how anything Bach composed could be called simplified☺️. So then it’s knowing when to use what version?