Time 19:30
All Saints Church, Kościelna 4, Gliwice
The over two hundred cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach that we know today are just a fraction of the total number of works in this genre written by the Leipzig cantor. The preserved works are the perfect example of symbolic baroque musical language and unrivaled compositional inventiveness. Written over the course of a lifetime, they provide insight into the master’s technique. The original version of the cantata Ich habe genug BWV 82 was written in 1727 for a solo bass voice, but as early as 1730 or 1731 Bach transcribed it for soprano. Fragments of this composition can be found in the Klavierbüchlein of Anna Magdalena, the composer’s wife, who most likely performed them during private or public performances with her pure soprano voice. The theme of the work intended for Candlemas is the longing for death, which for a Christian is the passageway leading to union with Christ.
On the other hand, the cantata Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam BWV 7, written for the Feast of John the Baptist in 1724, tells the story of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan. In the opening chorus of the composition, it is worth noting the figurative passages of the solo violin, associated with the rippling waters of the Jordan. The instrumental layer interestingly dialogues with the sound of Martin Luther’s traditional song enchanted in the choir part.
Between the cantatas, we will hear the Ouverture in G minor written by a distant relative of the Leipzig cantor – Johann Bernhard Bach (1676-1749). For most of his life, this composer was associated with the princely court in Eisenach and the local church of St. George. However, his excellent instrumental compositions quickly reached Leipzig and were included by Johann Sebastian in the repertoire of the local Collegium Musicum.
PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach – Ich habe genug BWV 82
Aria: Ich habe genug
Recitative: Ich habe genug
Aria: Schlummert ein , ihr matten Augen
Recitative: Mein Gott! wenn kömmt das schöne: Nun!
Aria: Ich freude mich auf meinen Tod
Johann Bernhard Bach – Ouverture in G minor
Ouverture | Air | Rondeau | Loure | Fantaisie | Passepied
Johann Sebastian Bach – Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam BWV 7
Coro: Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam
Aria (bass): Merkt und hört, ihr Menschenkinder
Recitative (tenor): Dies hat Gott klar mit Worten und mit Bildern dargethan
Aria (tenor): Des Vaters Stimme ließ sich hören
Recitative (bass): Als Jesus dort nach seinen Leiden
Aria (alto): Menschen, glaubt doch dieser Gnade
Chorale: Das Aug allein das Wasser sieht
PERFORMERS
OLGA PASIECZNIK SOPRANO
JAKUB FOLTAK COUNTERTENOR
SEBASTIAN MACH TENOR
DAWID BIWO BASS
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD, CONDUCTOR
