OVPP
Encyclopedia
One Voice Per Part - this musical term and neologism and its abbreviation refers to the practice of performing Baroque
choral music, and Bach's works in particular, with single voices on each vocal line. Choral works featuring SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) vocal parts are consequently sung by four singers when this approach is adopted.
The first conductor to strongly advocate this approach to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach
was the American pianist and conductor, Joshua Rifkin
. The use of solo voices in the choral music of Bach has also found champions in Andrew Parrott
, Paul McCreesh
, Sigiswald Kuijken
and Konrad Junghänel
. The approach is still somewhat controversial and recordings of Bach's music featuring solo voices in choral movements have met with mixed reviews.
The acronym, "OVPP", was first coined in the egroup "The Bach Recordings Discussion Group" in the mid 1990s by Steven Langley Guy. The acronym seems to have been adopted more widely since that time.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
choral music, and Bach's works in particular, with single voices on each vocal line. Choral works featuring SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) vocal parts are consequently sung by four singers when this approach is adopted.
The first conductor to strongly advocate this approach to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
was the American pianist and conductor, Joshua Rifkin
Joshua Rifkin
Joshua Rifkin is an American conductor, keyboard player, and musicologist. He is best known by the general public for having played a central role in the ragtime revival in the 1970s with the three albums he recorded of Scott Joplin's works for Nonesuch Records, and to classical musicians for his...
. The use of solo voices in the choral music of Bach has also found champions in Andrew Parrott
Andrew Parrott
Andrew Parrott is a British conductor, perhaps best known for his pioneering historically informed performances of pre-classical music. He conducts a wide range of repertoire, including contemporary music. He conducted the premiere of Judith Weir's A Night at the Chinese Opera...
, Paul McCreesh
Paul McCreesh
Paul McCreesh is an English conductor.Paul McCreesh is founder and artistic director of the Gabrieli Consort & Players, with whom he has established himself at the highest level in the period instrument field; he is recognised for his authoritative and innovative performances on the concert...
, Sigiswald Kuijken
Sigiswald Kuijken
Sigiswald Kuijken is a Belgian violinist, violist, and conductor known for playing on authentic instruments.-Biography:Kuijken was born in Dilbeek, near Brussels. He was a member of the Alarius Ensemble of Brussels between 1964 and 1972 and formed La Petite Bande in 1972...
and Konrad Junghänel
Konrad Junghänel
Konrad Junghänel is a German conductor and lutenist. He has given numerous solo concerts all around the world and has also worked with ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants and others....
. The approach is still somewhat controversial and recordings of Bach's music featuring solo voices in choral movements have met with mixed reviews.
The acronym, "OVPP", was first coined in the egroup "The Bach Recordings Discussion Group" in the mid 1990s by Steven Langley Guy. The acronym seems to have been adopted more widely since that time.