Opening concert - Int. Nikolaus Harnoncourttage

Johann Sebastian Bach: (1685-1750)

"Jesu meine Freude", BWV 227
Motet for mixed choir and basso continuo

"Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51 Alto
Cantata for the 15th Sunday after Trinity
. Sunday after Trinity
For soprano solo, solo trumpet, 2 violins, viola and basso continuo

Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
For soloists, choir and orchestra

Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano I
Anna Katharina Tonauer, Soprano II/Alto
Johannes Bamberger, Tenor
Zacharias Galaviz Guerrra, Bass
Martin Sillaber, Trumpet
Concentus Musicus Wien
Chorus sine nomine
Stefan Gottfried, Conductor

Each of the works performed has the Freude in the title and thus outshines our opening concert 2025.

Bach's sacred five-part motet Jesu, my joy, a hymn to texts from the letter to the Romans, conveys the turning away from worldly things towards the spirit of God, which triumphs over all sadness and culminates in joy.

The cantata for solo soprano Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen is centred entirely on the praise of God and ends with a joyful and radiant Alleluia.

The festive Magnificat represents the climax of joy. As a biblical hymn of praise to Mary and her child, it is sung both at Christmas and in the liturgy of the great Marian feasts. Mary, who is already expecting her child, speaks to St Elizabeth, who is also pregnant. The text comes from the Gospel of Luke and calls for a joyful and festive atmosphere.