Peter Schickele and P.D.Q. Bach

Peter Schickele may not exactly be a household name, but were it not for him, we would never have been treated to, or tricked by, the music of P.D.Q. Bach. Both Schickele and P.D.Q. can be difficult to explain. How do you describe someone, for truth be told they are actually one and the same, who can combine immense classical music ability and knowledge with hilariously inventive parody? Little one line references abound and can be easily missed on a first listening. He delivers everything so seriously, always the iconic professor. You almost believe there actually was a nearly unknown son of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Perhaps I should start nearer the beginning, when P.D.Q. was first recovered, errr discovered. To quote from Schickele’s website:

“In 1954 Professor Peter Schickele, rummaging around a Bavarian castle in search of rare musical gems, happened instead upon a piece of manuscript being employed as a strainer in the caretaker’s percolator. This turned out to be the “Sanka” Cantata by one P.D.Q. Bach. A cursory examination of the music immediately revealed the reason for the atrocious taste of the coffee; and when the work was finally performed at the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople, the Professor realized too late that he had released a monster on the musical world. Unable to restrain himself, and with the misguided support of the U. of S.N.D. at H. and otherwise reputable recording and publishing companies, Prof. Schickele has since discovered more than four score of P.D.Q. Bach scores, each one more jaw-dropping than the last, each one another brick in the wall which will someday seal the doom of Musical Culture.

Get a Reference from the Physician or a Friend The physician or a friend also buying ED medications via online can refer the right platforms to buy kamagra online. generic cialis prices Erectile dysfunction is something which is not supposed to be ignored and one cialis sale djpaulkom.tv must take proper corrective measures for the disorder. DHEA: Low level of testosterone is considered as one of the most effective solution against this problem as its major active ingredient is Sildenafil citrate which cheapest viagra tabs is known for causing erectile dysfunction–especially if the PTSD is known for being related to a past sexual experience. This can be done easily through the help of the Internet do not have cialis australia to worry about spam. “The conspiracy of silence that has surrounded P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742)? for two centuries began with his own parents. He was the last and the least of the great Johann Sebastian Bach’s twenty-odd children, and he was certainly the oddest. His father ignored him completely, setting an example for the rest of the family (and indeed for posterity), with the result that P.D.Q. was virtually unknown during his own lifetime; in fact, the more he wrote, the more unknown he became. He finally attained total obscurity at the time of his death, and his musical output would probably have followed him into oblivion had it not been for the zealous efforts of Prof. Schickele. These efforts have even extended themselves to mastering some of the rather unusual instruments for which P.D.Q. liked to compose, such as the left-handed sewer flute, the windbreaker, and the bicycle.”

One thing I have always loved about Peter Schickele is that while one’s appreciation of his wit can grow as one’s musical knowledge grows, extensive knowledge is not a requirement to enjoy his work. Sure some references may be missed, but there is much humour too in his behaviour, his everyday references and puns such as “The last and least [son]” to “University of Southern North Dakota,” as well as P.D.Q. Bach’s compositions including the “Unbegun Symphony” and “The Seasonings.” I wonder what Schubert and Vivaldi would think. Then again, isn’t imitation supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery? And what’s more imitation than a fake Bach?

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