Search - P.D.Q. [pseudonym of Peter Schickele] Bach, Jerry / Stoller, Mike Leiber, Dana Krueger :: The Ill-Conceived P.D.Q. Bach Anthology

A good introduction to the music of PDQ Bach

Sean Scanlen | 03/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As already described, the music on this CD is hillarious and the spoken sections usually less so.



This CD includes selections from many collections, but no complete collections - for example, the Dramatic Oratorio does not include the complete Oratorio, but rather a few sections. Other tracks are single movements from larger works, such as the second movement from the Grand Serenade.



I would suggest buying this CD if you do not already own any of PDQ Bach's CDs, but otherwise to buy the CDs containing complete works."

Good but not Great

James H. Drury | Price, UT | 12/20/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There's a lot to like here. OK, less than half of this cd is worth listening to. PDQ Bach, aka Prof. Peter Schickele, is an acquired taste for some. "Low brow" humor connected to "high brow" music in some cases makes for good fun. Pete's musical abilities are apparent all over the score(s) but the introductions, commentary, and non-musical moments now seem more sophomoric than when I saw him in concert years ago. The best and funniest and most joyful moments on this recording come from the 1712 overture and The Short Tempered Clavier, S3.14159, easy as 1. C major. All the rest is only modestly funny for all the creativity in evidence. For me, on a recording like this, I'd rather they left off the goofy introductions, except as absolutely necessary (for the sake of the music) and then let this mad musical mayhem speak for itself.



All that said, you know I will be adding more PDQ to my collection. It is hard to resist and laughter--even in small sporadic doses--is good for the soul."