I've very much been enjoying exploring Gardiner's Bach Cantata series from 2000. He performed all of the surviving cantatas on the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. They were performed on the feast days that they were originally composed for in live settings and recordings. These are my first cantatas so I don't have a very good reference point. But, I find them compelling and beautiful.
I've nearly made my way through 48 30-45 minute lectures in my work commute. This is a great series for someone like me who wants a broad survey of classical and opera. Very expensive to purchase retail, but most libraries carry some of the series.
I'm also working my way through his audio CD biographies of Hayden, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Each composer gets about 8 CDs. Very well researched and really interesting to learn about the great composers. Clearly designed for non-musicians. He goes through basic classical forms (fugues, sonata form, etc.) and thorough biographical details with quite a bit of the history and culture informing the various eras: baroque, classical, romantic, etc.
Very impressed that I was able to order the entire series of lectures (nearly 50
) plus the composers. Then, there are separate volumes for opera, symphonies, concertos...nearly never ending! And, all available in my area through the public library system. Amazing resource to me!
Even for an old rock/metal guy like me who wants to learn-highly recommended
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