
There are still good seats available for the premiere of this new programme at Wigmore Hall on Sunday 6th March. 8 singers will join a rich continuo team, 2 violinists and 3 viola da gamba players for motets and sacred concertos by Johann Christoph and Johann Michael Bach.
This is some of the most beautiful and expressive vocal music of the 17th century. We interweave the big solo showpieces by JC Bach, "Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte" and "Wie bist du denn, o Gott, in Zorn auf mich entbrannt", with other gems by the two brothers, who were also first cousins once removed of Johann Sebastian. The emotional rollercoaster of torment and joy, fear of death and loving acceptance of it, and fear of God or joyful anticipation of his coming, barrels us through music which goes straight to the heart, riven with the desolation, raw nerves, and permanent confrontation with death in the decades after the Thirty Years War. Not to be missed.