GLORIA! / INAUGURATION OF THE FESTIVAL

26 September 2024, Thursday
Time 20:30
Holy Cross Church, Krakowskie Przedmieście 3 in Warsaw

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Among the many sacred works by Antonio Vivaldi, Gloria RV 589 is one of the most frequently performed. The special charm of the twelve contrasting movements lies in the skillful use of a plethora of baroque musical means. Vivaldi, who achieved mastery in composing concert music, excels in using the expressive possibilities of the orchestra, which cooperates and, at times, competes with the soloists and choir. The spirited beginning with the characteristic octaves played in unison by the oboe, trumpet, and strings is answered by the no less energetic outcry of the choir: “Glory!” In the remainder of the piece, we will find captivating melodies, contemplative dialogues, and refined fugues, such as the solemn Cum sancto spiritu closing the composition.

The second part of the concert will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach. In the Orchestral Suite in D major, BWV 1068, the composer reaches the heights of melodic inventiveness and contrapuntal artistry. The French-style overture is followed by a sophisticated movement, popularized in the 19th century as the Aria on the G string. The listener is transported back from this mood of reflection by the subsequent movements – full of vitality and the joyful exultation of the dance forms of gavotte, bourrée, and gigue. The concert will end with Gloria in excelsis Deo BWV 191 – the only cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach written in Latin. Today, we do not know what circumstances prompted the master to make such a choice. Suffice it to say that the composition from 1742 contains almost the entire musical material (with the necessary abbreviations and transformations) from the second movement of the Missa, expanded at the end of his life into the famous Mass in B minor. The original was created in order for Bach to obtain the title of court composer to the Elector Augustus III of Saxony.

PROGRAM

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) – Gloria RV 589

Gloria in excelsis Deo  
Et in terra pax
Laudamus te  
Gratias agimus tibi
Propter magnam gloriam
Domine Deus, Rex coelestis  
Domine, Fili unigenite
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris 
Quoniam tu solus sanctus
Cum Sancto Spiritu

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) – Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068

Ouverture
Air
Gavotte I
Gavotte II
Bourrée
Gigue

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) – Gloria in excelsis Deo BWV 191

Chorus: Gloria in excelsis Deo
Duet: Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui sancto  
Chorus: Sicut erat in principio

PERFORMERS

OLGA PASIECZNIK SOPRANO

ANETA ŁUKASZEWICZ MEZZOSOPRANO

SYLWESTER SMULCZYŃSKI TENOR

THE CHAMBER CHOIR OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA

THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA  

KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD, CONDUCTOR 


Duration: approx. 1h

The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.