De Nederlandse Bachvereniging/ the Netherlands Bach Society

Three Bach cantatas What did Bach himself consider his most beautiful work? We wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Hohe Messe. In this programme, you will hear three cantatas by Bach that he reused in that mass at the end of his life. Richard Egarr conducts the ensemble in these originals of what is perhaps Bach’s most beautiful work. The music unfolds with a fresh, flowing energy, the vocals taking centre stage. For instance, the Patrem omnipotentem of the Hohe Messe derives from the cantata Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm. His secular cantata Preise dein Glücke formed the basis for the Osanna, and Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen for the dramatic Agnus Dei. Egarr is a dedicated early music specialist with deep roots in English choral music. He brings a unique approach, preferring to interpret the music as if encountering it for the first time.