1712 Overture and Other Musical Assaults
Peter Schickele · 1989
63 min · 14 tracks · opera
A whimsical blend of classical orchestration and absurdist humor, merging highbrow and lowbrow in a playful sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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1712 Overture, S. 1712 — This track serves as the album's centerpiece, reinterpreting Tchaikovsky’s famous overture through a comedic lens that highlights Schickele's skillful orchestration and humor.
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Bach Portrait — A lengthy exploration into Bach's style infused with whimsy, this piece exemplifies Schickele's ability to craft complex musical narratives while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
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Prelude to Einstein on the Fritz, S. e=mt² — This prelude mixes scientific themes with musical parody, showcasing Schickele's unique blend of intellectual humor and creativity in a classical context.
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The Preachers of Crimetheus: Ballet in One Selfless Act, S. 988: III. Finale — The finale features an array of unconventional instruments like kazoos and slide whistles, culminating in a vibrant celebration of absurdity that defines Schickele's artistic approach.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical musical humor explorations
- playful absurdity with orchestral flair
- interludes that invite laughter
- unexpected twists and surprises
- short bursts of energetic fun
Maybe skip if you
- prefer serious, traditional compositions
- seek straightforward musical narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1989, Peter Schickele was already well-known for his comedic compositions and performances as P.D.Q. Bach. This album, released as part of his ongoing explorations into satirical classical music, showcases his unique ability to blend traditional forms with irreverent humor, following his earlier successes in the late 1970s and 1980s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Bernstein· Igor Stravinsky· Carl Orff
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Introduction 1:38
- 2 1712 Overture, S. 1712 11:34
- 3 Introduction 1:13
- 4 Bach Portrait 14:36
- 5 Introduction 2:53
- 6 Capriccio La Pucelle de New Orleans (The Maid of New Orleans), S. under 18 3:30
- 7 Introduction 1:15
- 8 Minuet Militaire, S. 1A 3:45
- 9 Introduction 1:37
- 10 Prelude to Einstein on the Fritz, S. e=mt² 6:41
- 11 Introduction 1:48
- 12 The Preachers of Crimetheus: Ballet in One Selfless Act, S. 988: I. Prologue (Bottomless Sorrow; Topless Gaiety) 3:18
- 13 The Preachers of Crimetheus: Ballet in One Selfless Act, S. 988: II. The Lamentations of Jerry Maja (tromboon) 3:09
- 14 The Preachers of Crimetheus: Ballet in One Selfless Act, S. 988: III. Finale: Special Deliverance: Theme (windbreaker) / Variation 1 (balloons) / Variation 2 (slide whistle) / Variation 3 (slide windbreaker) / Variation 4 (lasso d’amore) / Variation 5 (foghorn, bells, kazoo) 6:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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