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Bach cantatas inspire in Leipzig: Gardiner enchants the Nikolaikirche!
Experience the Bach Festival 2025 in Leipzig with John Eliot Gardiner and the Constellation Choir, who will ceremoniously interpret Bach's cantatas.
Bach cantatas inspire in Leipzig: Gardiner enchants the Nikolaikirche!
On June 13, 2025, an impressive concert by the Constellation Choir and Orchestra took place in the Nikolaikirche, Leipzig. Under the direction of the renowned conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the ensembles presented three important cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach. These works, composed specifically for the Jubilate Sundays, mixed dark lyrics with hopeful and lively music.
The opening cantata “You will cry and howl,” BWV 103, from 1725, begins with a joyful-sounding fugal choir that conveyed both emotion and energy to the listeners. The tenor aria “Recover, saddened senses,” which symbolizes the pursuit of happiness, was particularly touching. These uplifting moments were further reinforced in the following cantata “Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen”, BWV 12. The piece opens with a meditative symphony led by sensitive oboe playing. The impressive chorale becomes a notable feature in Bach's later work, the B minor Mass, illustrating his music's connection to the liturgy.
Powerful performance
The concert was characterized by an impressive performance by the choir, who sang with great sensitivity and control. The voices of countertenor Alexander Chance and bass-baritone Florian Störtz filled the room with an excellence that captivated the audience. Particularly noteworthy was the tenor Thomas Hobbs, who shone in the emotional aria “Sei getreu, alle Pein” and made the worries and needs of the texts come alive with his voice.
The third cantata, “We have to go through a lot of trouble”, BWV 146, complements the concerto with powerful movements taken from the D minor Harpsichord Concerto, BWV 1052. An impressive four-part choir was followed by a dramatic performance by soprano Marie Luise Werneburg, who caused goosebumps with her soulful aria. The impressive conclusion of the concert was a lively tenor and bass duet with an invitation to rejoice and rejoice, followed by a final choir that triumphed with impeccable expression.
An innovator in music
Sir John Eliot Gardiner's musical vision is unique. As one of the leading innovators in historically informed performance practice, he is known for his work with ensembles such as the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists. In September 2024, Gardiner announced the formation of Springhead Constellation, which includes both the Constellation Orchestra and the Constellation Choir. These ensembles have already completed their first tour of renowned concert halls around the world, underscoring Gardiner's established place in the world of classical music.
As a reminder, Gardiner has worked with some of the leading symphony orchestras throughout his career, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. His repertoire spans multiple eras, including the works of composers such as Mozart and Berlioz, while relying on innovative interpretations.
The performance in the Nikolaikirche was not only a musical highlight, but also an impressive example of the enduring relevance and power of Bach's music, which shone again through the committed performance by Gardiner and his ensembles. As Opernmagazin reports, Gardiner's approach is characterized by the use of historical instruments and small choirs, creating a special atmosphere that pays homage to Bach's original intention represents.