P. D. Q. Bach in Houston: We Have a Problem!

P.D.Q. Bach in Houston: We Have a Problem! is a live performance celebrating 40 years of P. D. Q. Bach. This performance features Professor Peter Schickele with Orchestra X conducted by Peter Jacoby. It includes never-before-recorded performances of "Trumpet Involuntary" movement of Iphigenia in Brooklyn, and also the rounds Odden und Enden (many of which have been previously unavailable on CD).

Performers

• Professor Peter Schickele, conductor, wine bottle, windbreaker, slide windbreaker, singist and musicological master
• Orchestra X, Peter Jacoby, conductor (on-screen credit: "semiconductor")
• Okay Chorale, Tom Jaber, chorusmaster (on-screen credit: "seasoned conductor")
• William Walters, Manager of the Stage
• Giff Nielsen, color commentator
• Michèle Eaton, singist
• David Düsing, singist
• Gerrod Pagenkopf, bargain counter tenor
• Jessica Smith, off-coloratura soprano
• Cybele Gouverneur, mezzanine-soprano
• John Weinel, tenor profundo
• Sam Handley, basso blotto
• Shih-Ting Huang, violin, captain of the orchestra
• Jaryn Philleo, oboe, double reeds
• Melanie Lancon, flute, slide whistle
• Marat Rakhmatullaev, bassoon, tromboon
• Cesar Martinez Bourguet, cello, discontinuo
• Larry Hernandez, trumpet
• Matt Menger, horn, shower hose in C alto
• Phil Moody, kazoo primo
• Brian Shircliffe, kazoo secundo
• John Welton, continuo accordiano
• Lillian Copeland, Ben Kamins, double reeds
• Patty Moeling, slide whistle
• Cheerleaders from the Spirit of Houston Cougar Band, themselves

Program

1. "Desecration of the House" Overture
2. Schleptet in E-flat major, S. 0

• Molto Larghissimo — Allegro Boffo
• Menuetto con Brio ma Senza Trio
• Adagio Saccharino
• Yehudi Menuetto
• Presto Hey Nonny Nonnio

3. Iphigenia in Brooklyn, S. 53,162

• I. Trumpet Involuntary
• II. Aria: "When Hyperion"
• III. Recitative: "And Lo!"
• IV. Ground: "Dying"
• V. Recitative: "And in a vision"
• VI. Aria: "Running"

4. "Unbegun" Symphony (Prof. Schickele)

• III. Minuet
• IV. Andante — Allegro

5. New Horizons in Music Appreciation

• Allegro con brio from Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Beethoven)

6. Fuga Meshuga from The Musical Sacrifice, S. 50% off
7. The Seasonings, S. 1½ tsp.

• Chorus: "Tarragon of virtue is full"
• Recitative: "And there were in the same country"
• Duet: "Bide thy thyme"
• Fugue
• Recitative: "Then asked he"
• Chorale: "By the leeks of Babylon"
• Recitative: "Then she gave in"
• Aria: "Open sesame seeds"
• Recitative: "So saying"
• Duet: "Summer is a cumin seed"
• Soloists and chorus: "To curry favor, favor curry"

DVD Bonus Selections
1. "Unbegun" Symphony with Theme Identifications
2. Odden und Enden

• The Mule
• Three-Step Crab Dinner
• O Serpent
• Johann Sebastian Bach (Prof. Schickele)
• Please, Kind Sir, from The Art of the Ground Round

3. KUHT interview with Peter Schickele
4. Bio of Peter Schickele, P.D.Q. Bach and Peter Jacoby

Sources

• P.D.Q. Bach in Houston: We Have a Problem!