Customer Reviews

P.D.Q. Bach: Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities

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Virtually every CD that Peter Schickele has put out under the name of PDQ Bach has been absolutely hilarious. This is one of his best albums - it will have you in stitches in no time flat.

"Oedipus Tex," the title piece, is a stunning parody of (of course) Sophocles "Oedipus Rex" - from the line "the gods are ticked off and now someone must pay" to the ending chorus of "the eyes of Texas are upon you" (set to the tune of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"), the piece is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.

"Classical Rap" - this track alone is worth the whole cost of the album. This "Yuppie" rap combines the stereotypes of rap music with Vivaldi and Bach, and has as its setting the upper West side of Manhattan.

"Knock Knock Cantata" - some of the worst jokes you'll ever hear set to some of the worst music you'll ever hear. The combination of text and setting is really hilarious - talk about form meeting content.

"Birthday Ode for Big Daddy Bach" - the more you know about music, the funnier this piece is.

BUY THIS CD.

This was my first PDQ recording and it has kept me coming back for more.My father who hates music even LOVES it!It does take a special musician or music lover to appreciate the genius of such a man as Peter Shickele. Being a musician, I have performed numerous PDQ works in the past and they are extremely difficult.Oedipus Tex is by far the most ingenious album created, in my belief, in as far as its contents and musical professionalism.

Oedipus Tex & Other Choral Calamities is one of the must haves from PDQ Bach. This album has some of his best stuff on it including the title tracks and one of the funniest songs he has composed "classical rap" this is well worth one's time to check out.

My two favorites on the cd are "Oedipus Tex" and "Classical Rap." To this day, however I can't even hear the name Vivaldi without giggling in remembrance of the record being scratched to the rhythm of Vivaldi's "Spring". Definitely one worth buying!

Aficionados of choral music will find this work hilariously funny, punny as well as naughty. This was my first PDQ Bach recording purchase after having been introduced to the master's works in my college choir as we sang "My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth". Oedipus Tex is a gem with many hauntingly annoying words and tunes that revisit one's mental crannies.

My absolute favorite portion of this recording is "Knock, Knock" a choral cantata. I'm trying to sell my director on this piece for our chamber group...have never sang PDQ before and know I would love it...for those of you who love classical music but sometimes get the feeling it's too serious...sit back, listen and enjoy!

The ode to Oedipus Tex is so filled with literary and music puns that it made my head spin. One of the funniest of all of Schickele's work, it makes one want Mr. Peter to turn his genius back on and create additional "operas" for the masses.

Oedipus Tex is both my favorite Country/Western ballad and one of my favorite oratorios!

Classical Rap is, IMHO, the only Rap piece worth listening to.

This is one of "The Bad Boy of Classical Music", Peter Schickele's best recordings.

Oedipus Tex is a brilliant parody... I had a teacher listen to it once and then it circulated around the entire English department. "Classical Rap" is a wonderful piece as well.