From the evening’s programme there are four highlights that have lodged firm in the memory and I have singled out for special praise.ĭisplaying Bach’s writing in a near operatic manner the duet aria for soprano and alto Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten (We hasten with weak, yet eager steps) from Jesu, der du meine Seele (Jesus, by whom my soul), BWV 78 was exquisitely rendered with the women’s glorious voices blending together dramatically. In displays of excellence often breathtaking were the contributions from principal oboist, trumpet, flute, cello and leader.Ĭonvincingly the choral singing from Monteverdi Choir and its soloists communicated an uplifting, spiritual quality of an elevated level rarely encountered. Surprisingly it was some way into the concert before I was able to detect the sound of the harpsichord that was tucked away adjacent to the organ. The acoustic favoured the unified high string sound which produced a lovely glow although the pair of cellos were less audible from my seat. Playing with commitment and enthusiasm, notable was the glowing range of orchestral colours that English Baroque Soloists produced on its period instruments. Sir John generally favoured brisk speeds but never once did I feel they were too fast and his familiarity with the scope of the instruments on this very hot Spring evening ensured he chose not to exaggerate the dynamic. In the Frauenkirche with its beautiful interior dome construction decorated in white and gold the performances of four Bach cantatas were quite outstanding being consistently fresh and invigorating together with an elevated level of accomplishment. Bach specialist, English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir must have been surely both enthralled and buoyed by the spectacular setting of the Frauenkirche, its ornate internal decoration and history as they produced a performance that will linger long in the memory. The performers, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, a renowned J.S.

Reconstructed after destruction by bombing in World War II the Frauenkirche has become a symbol of peace and reconciliation between warring countries. In 1736 Bach had been invited to the Frauenkirche to give the inaugural recital on the recently dedicated Gottfried Silbermann organ. Bach’s home Lutheran church Thomaskirche in Leipzig I can’t imagine a more suitable venue to play Bach cantatas than Dresden’s glorious Frauenkirche. (MC) Sir John Eliot Gardiner (c) Sim Canetty-Clarkeīach Cantatas – Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140Īpart from J.S. Bach:English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir / Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor), Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany. Germany Dresdner Musikfestspiele 2018 – J.S.

John eliot gardiner bach