BACH FOR CHRISTMAS

The greatest composer in history, a point of reference for all who composed after him, a master of form and content — Johann Sebastian Bach. Although we know a lot about his life, it is still difficult to understand how, with the enormous amount of daily duties, he managed to write music so profound: full not only of sound artistry, but also of spiritual content. As cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, he regularly composed cantatas for Sundays and holidays, was responsible for the musical setting of services, prepared performers, conducted rehearsals, and taught organ playing and singing at St. Thomas's School.

The concert will be opened by the motet O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht BWV 118 — a mourning composition intended to be performed during funeral ceremonies. Then we will move on to the joyful, solemn time of Christmas, which in the liturgical year requires a special musical setting. The Magnificat sounded for the first time on Christmas Day 1723, a few months after Bach took office as cantor in Leipzig. Cantata BWV 110 was composed two years later and was performed on December 25, 1725. It is a particularly festive and colorful work, intended for four solo voices, choir and orchestra with the participation of trumpets, cauldrons, flutes and oboes.

However, the first performances had little to do with today's concerts. Bach's vocal and instrumental compositions were a commentary on the readings and the Gospel, a kind of musical sermon to help the faithful of the Lutheran Church better understand the meaning of the following holidays. Music written for a specific place and purpose today continues to move with extraordinary force. Perhaps Bach himself would be surprised that we listen to it in concert halls — and we burst into applause with delight.

Photo by Igor Andruch