Classical concerts featuring

Alex Potter

Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman

Wait a moment, these are the first sounds of the »Christmas oratorio« which starts this concert in the middle of summer! Yes and no: Johann Sebastian Bach often ›recycled‹ his own music and used pieces he considered particularly successful, repeatedly in very different works. Ton Koopman, expert in historical Bach performance practice, has selected three secular cantatas by the Baroque master, which celebrate name-days and birthdays of the Saxon elector prince family and include so many well-known arias and chants. On these occasions, Bach did not set to music any sacred, but secular texts. Characters from classical mythology appear here, convey good wishes to the gods and praise them. For the composer, these compositions which were performed in the open air in beer gardens in summer and in coffee houses in the winter are part of his Leipzig engagements. Two of the cantatas even bear the subheading »Dramma per Musica« – festive miniature operas with virtuoso arias, studded with outstanding soloists. Ton Koopman, who is giving his Elbphilharmonie debut with this concert, is, with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, one of the world’s best Bach interpreters, awarded with numerous prizes. The conductor, organist and harpsichordist fully dedicated himself to the composer: »To me, Bach is the most brilliant composer in the history of music! What affects me with Bach is the tremendous balance between sense and sensibility – his music goes straight to the heart. A day without Bach is inconceivable to me!«