JS Bach
In search of music by the great composer
Next month we celebrate the 340th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birth. Widely held as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, if not of the Western classical tradition more generally, Bach’s music is loved and revered for its emotional depth and intellectual brilliance. When we ask musicians about their favourite composer, the most frequent response by a long margin is “JS Bach”.
The concerts highlighted below showcase the sheer range of his output, from monumental sacred works of spectacular scale and mastery, to inventive instrumental works, and a glimpse into a more humorous side, with the satirical Coffee Cantata.
First up, The English Concert perform the mighty Mass in B minor - considered a ‘pinnacle of Western classical music’. The ensemble is joined by their Principal Guest Director Kristian Bezuidenhout for two performances of this sublime final masterpiece by Bach. Catch them at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields on 20 February, or at the Bath Bachfest on 22 February in Bath Abbey.
Florilegium will also make an appearance at the Bath Bachfest, performing music by JS Bach, his son CPE Bach, and his friend Telemann in Father, Son & Godfather. Florilegium will be joined by acclaimed mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston. If you can’t make St Mary’s Church, Bathwick on 20 February, you can catch this programme at Wigmore Hall on 11 March.
A final Bath Bachfest concert mention is one not to miss: Continuo Foundation Patron Rachel Podger and her dynamic ensemble Brecon Baroque perform a concerto for violin, and one for two violins, both by JS Bach, two of Handel's Concerti Grossi, a lesser-known work by Vivaldi and a sonata by French composer and organist Georg Muffat. Enjoy this concert on 21 February at St Mary's Bathwick.
Liturina present Vom Weinen zum Singen: a pair of concerts at London’s historic St Clement Danes Church, supported by Continuo Foundation. Beginning a journey from discord and terror to love and harmony, the first concert on 27 February showcases exquisite chamber cantatas and instrumental works by Telemann and Buxtehude. In the second concert, the ensemble is joined by acclaimed singers Ana Beard Fernandez, Hugh Cutting, James Way and Tristan Hambleton, under the baton of Joel Sandelson for JS Bach’s Easter Oratorio on 27 March.
Exploring a more humorous side to JS Bach, Vache Baroque perform his Coffee Cantata - in a coffee house! Whilst referred to as a cantata, this work is more a comic opera - a satirical commentary on the addiction to coffee. Bach directed a collegium musicum based at Zimmermann’s coffee house in Leipzig, and it is likely that this would have been the location for the first performance of this work.
Join Vache Baroque at Fidelio Cafe in London on 22 and 23 February for four performances of this light-hearted work, in a humorous production by director Laura Attridge. Complimentary coffee is included in the ticket price!
As ever, we’re spoiled for choice with early music concerts across the UK in the coming weeks, with chances to hear a great variety of music by many different composers, in many different settings. Find more concert, festivals, interviews and articles on the Continuo Connect website.
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