I post this because whenever I recommend to anyone the Queen of Night, I always recommend it in the Lucia Popp rendition. It's a matter of personal taste, but what I love about this is that it is somewhat slower than the other versions and as a result, it would seem to me somewhat more difficult to perform and sustain--those high notes in which the Queen's voice becomes the Magic Flute itself are rounded, full, and deep while remaining light and airy. I have read some rather severe criticism of this ritardando; and while it may or may not reflect Mozart's intent, it is certainly within the options for staging. It creates a real vocal showpiece from what is already a magnificent example of same. It really is an amazing example of a virtuoso composition sung by a virtuoso voice. All of which should not be taken to mean that I do not truly appreciate the version posted earlier by Diana Damrau, it's just nice to see what a difference tempo can make. I think we can take
Steven,
ReplyDeleteIt seems fairly straightforward to me. Religion and religious institutions get in the way of a relationship between the individual and the godhead.
Dear Fred,
ReplyDeleteWhile I may not agree, your point is perfectly clear to me. And therefore I could understand someone preferring God to institutional religion or religion of any sort. What I can't understand is how one would prefer religion (of any sort) to God. That is opaque.
Your point I not only get, but often feel twinges of. If religions could only be purged of their human element, I sometimes say. But I look at it and say, let me see--the Spanish inquisition or God? Hmm... Seems to me to be a no-brainer. As I said, as a practicing member of religion, I'm often tempted to toss the whole mess to one side and go it alone. But what I know is the folly of that, is that I won't "go" anything under those circumstances. So religion as community of helpers, again I get. But. . . well, as I said, completely opaque.
I think I've come to the conclusion that the commentary uses the word "religion" in a manner quite different from the way I use the same word. I think perhaps it is perhaps meaning a kind of spirituality or spiritual experience--which I view as quite a different thing as religion. But I am more than likely mistaken, and have already said too much.
shalom,
Steven
Steven,
ReplyDeleteI have slowly and reluctantly come to the conclusion that there is no simple right answer to many of these questions. We live in a grey world where black-and-white distinctions are seldom found.