P.D.Q. Bach - The Short-Tempered Clavier and other dysfunctional works for keyboard

I’ve heard of this guy, and I was interested to see how the act would transfer from the concert hall to the studio. As it turns out - not that well. I only half-listened to the original Well-Tempered Clavier once many years ago, so some of the specific jokes are lost on me, but I do recognize all of the nursery rhymes he pastiches. He seems to be making fun of Lizst as much or more than he does Bach in the piano section. The back half of this record makes fun of organ and calliope, with several songs featuring the “dill piccolo” (which I’m assuming is an audience interaction bit that really does not translate well to the record).

The spoken interludes are unwelcome and poorly delivered. The jokes in the interior booklet are much funnier. Peter Schickele’s schtick is one third pop culture references, one third sarcastic musical technicality, and one third physical comedy. The latter is impossible to convey through the music, and the first two were merely okay. This album sparks bemusement, never amusement. And it’s far too long!

The Short-Tempered Clavier and other dysfunctional works for keyboard by P.D.Q. Bach is a bad album, and I don’t like it.