Bach: Coffee Cantata, Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht, BWV 211, Part 1 of 2

[hipepleful]

What is this even about? A girl loving coffee and her father telling to not drink it?

[cengime]

@hipepleful That's exactly it. She won't listen to him no matter what he does, though, until he threatens to forbid her to marry if she doesn't give up coffee. While the father goes out to find her a husband, she secretly tells them all that if they want to marry her, they must let her drink coffee. In the end, the narrator, the father, and the daughter all sing the moral of the story: "drinking coffee is natural."

[wisskier]

@hipepleful During Bach's time coffee was relatively new to Europe, in addition, being an import, and being the Turks most likely controlled the growing and trade of coffee, it was probably expensive.

[CarstenOepping]

very nice ! very well pronounced!  right speed . maybe some more acting ( like in opera) would be nice.

[CarstenOepping]

@CarstenOepping i mean .. very well pronounced by the Lady .... especially. thank you !

[agoodfedora]

I don't care which language it's in.. It is hilarious. Go Bach and your love of coffee!

[5071689]

Greate! Thank you

[XTSY]

he reminds me Jeffrey Bridges :D

[mhender668]

This guy's German is terrible. So is his voice. Dude can't sing.

[TheMajikah]

@mhender668 That's because he isn't German. He probably doesn't speak German. Try to sing in Russian. Let's all hear how superior you are singing in unfamiliar foreign languages compared to others.

[mhender668]

@TheMajikah Firstly, I am superior, to you at least. Secondly, I don't hold myself out to be a singer. I stand by my original statement. He can't sing, his voice is weak and uninteresting, in any language. On top of all that, his diction SUCKS.

[TheMajikah]

@mhender668 Superior to me? How so? Only pinheads walk around and brag about their nonexistent superiority, pal. 

[classiqmusiq]

I don't know why so many people have problem with English translation. The reason why they only translated recitatives is probably to let people know what's going on. With translated recitatives, you get the whole story. You don't need to translate the whole thing to get the story. I also prefer German, and wouldn't have liked Arias being sung in English.But people who are not an absolute classical music lovers might prefer knowing what the hell is going on.. and it is humourous when you listen.

[KPengiko]

@classiqmusiq you're right... I rather read the sinopsis or translation at some point, and listen to the music in it's original language. Languages sound very different!

[hipepleful]

@classiqmusiq agreed, its hard when there speaking German.

[TheOpal31]

how long is the coffee cantata? meaning how many arias, duets, etc. does it contain?

[dezangerman]

@TheOpal31 Go to the Bach Cantatas website and you can find them all there, scores, translations, original texts etc. And it's all for free.

[olialto7]

@TheOpal31 Mvt. 1 Tenor recit

Mvt. 2 Bass aria

Mvt. 3 Bass and soprano recitative

Mvt. 4 Soprano aria

Mvt. 5 Bass and soprano recitative

Mvt. 6 Bass aria

Mvt. 7 Bass and Soprano recitative

Mvt. 8 Soprano aria

Mvt. 9 Tenor recitative

Mvt. 10 Trio for soprano, tenor and bass

[TheOpal31]

I really love this performance but I don't like that fact that the recitative was translated, it should have stayed in German.

[figarobethisa]

Oh Alex one more thing as a Tenor your high C sounds like a tug boat whistle

[figarobethisa]

Hey Alex the role fits you perfectly because you do look like a grizzly bear man you are sooooo Fat that not even a Tuxedo looks good on you.

[thesir27]

she's cute

[myshipp]

I do think the switching back and forth between English and German is weird, but I don't see the problem with translations, especially in comic pieces like this. I don't agree that the music is the whole point in this case--the music is a vehicle for humor and social commentary.

I would also like to mention that it is standard in Germany to perform German translations of foreign (English, French, ect.) opera and concert repertoire. Why shouldn't we do the same to their native rep?

[sigkill2008]

@MegaPepper123: No, but I think that he wrote the music according to the text , and it's close to impossible to translate from one language to another keeping the intonation and the language's rhythm inline with the music. Compare the recitativo's lengthy english (1) with the (badly pronounced, but that's another topic) aria of Schlendrian (2) with a native speaker's and non-translated version.

[bialoglowatdx]

Interesting and great to listen to, but I think it's better to stick to one language. German, in this case. English verses made me laugh.

[Gregorius24]

Can I play? Baroque violinist for 30 years here. :-)

[sigkill2008]

Please refrain from translating Bach!

[bobbobato]

@sigkill2008 There are many versions of the Coffee Cantata available on Youtube which haven't been translated. I personally prefer versions that have been translated- yes, the music is warped slightly, but by actually understanding what the singers are saying, your appreciation of and engagement with the music is much deeper. That is much more valuable.

[sigkill2008]

@bobbobato True, and I'm glad to have the original versions online available. I can understand that translating Bach's works makes it easier for a non-native speaker to get a grasp on his works, and I appreciate your interest in Bach's music. However, listening to a (badly) translated version, no matter how good (or averagely, in this case) interpreted, makes me whine in pain. Just my two cents...

[redbrian3655]

@sigkill2008 Please refrain from making us listen to original music in other languages! Please refrain from telling us what should be done. You are as narrow as the Council under which Bach had to compose these pieces. TG that I can sing "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and not "Ein Feste Burg." Language is made to translate so that all can understand.

[HookedOnBach]

Parts in English are horrible, ohhhh I cannot listen it, it spoils the whole thing !!!!

[redbrian3655]

@HookedOnBach Then don't.........

[HookedOnBach]

Parts in English are horrible, ohhhh I cannot listen it !!!!

[HookedOnBach]

It is horrible in English!!!

[NorbertZF]

Why are the recitatives in English and the the arias sung in German??? I don't get it.

A good performance however. Thanks!

[HerrWarja]

@NorbertZF I agree, it is wierd. You either translate the entire thing or not translate at all!

[peteacher52]

@HerrWarja Maybe if the whole thing were translated into English, the libretto would sound so ridiculous that the audience would be guffawing instead of appreciating the fine performances. Crikey! The recititives in English were bad enough!

[lesboreades]

Excellent!!!!