Classical concerts featuring

Daniel Johannsen

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach: Matthäus-Passion / Hans-Christoph Rademann

In January 2023, the audience in the Elbphilharmonie responded to the performance of Bach’s St John Passion with the Gaechinger Cantorey with minutes of cheering. »There was a lot to celebrate«, commented Marcus Stäbler for the Hamburger Abendblatt at the time, citing the »eye for the big picture«, the »dense arc of tension«, the »sense of context« and the »flair for detail« in Hans-Christoph Rademann’s interpretation. Now the long-established ensemble of the International Bach Academy Stuttgart is returning to the Elbe with the St Matthew Passion. The monumental oratorio with nine soloists, two choirs and a double orchestra immerses the audience in a deeply spiritual, moving and poetic experience. Bach’s depiction of Jesus’ last hours offers a journey through the human soul in the spirit of the Protestant tradition of the time. He masterfully brings the sacred text to life with vivid harmonies and exquisite interplay between soloists and choirs. With a hand-picked choir, a first-class baroque orchestra and outstanding soloists, Hans-Christoph Rademann presents a renewed and faithful version of this highlight of vocal music of all time.

Bachs Matthäus-Passion

The St. Matthew Passion has always been a masterpiece, a pinnacle of oratorical art. Through double choirs and two orchestras, we experience existential emotions and enormous musical depth. The reflective arias offer insights into the human soul; we encounter our fear, hope, and confidence.

Bachs Matthäus-Passion

The St. Matthew Passion has always been a masterpiece, a pinnacle of oratorical art. Through double choirs and two orchestras, we experience existential emotions and enormous musical depth. The reflective arias offer insights into the human soul; we encounter our fear, hope, and confidence.

Guest performance

Guest performance

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.

Bach's inspiration

How can a text inspire a composer? And what happens if you give three composers the same poem as a source for their music? Conductor Johanna Soller shows us the result in a programme of beautiful music by Bach and the contemporary composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer.A brand-new cantata“In 1726, after years of unimaginable creativity and zest for work, Bach suddenly takes things a bit easier. He composes less, but what he does write has one particular source of inspiration: an anthology of poems from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Duke Ernst Ludwig of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1726, Bach also performs many cantatas by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach. And what was Johann Ludwig’s source of inspiration? That same anthology of poems. Now, 300 years later, the young German composer Gregor A. Mayrhofer takes a fresh look at the poetry, to create a brand-new cantata, written especially for this programme.