A dialogue with the divine

Declared “World Heritage” by UNESCO in 2015, the Mass in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is an Everest of the music of our times and remains an enigma which has not been completely deciphered. The chronology of its composition over some 25 years to just before Bach’s death is still being researched; the composer knew he would never see his piece performed yet he was profoundly committed to it.

“This is the most difficult piece in the history of music”, states conductor Thomas Hengelbrock, a specialist in Baroque repertoire, who, with regard to the Catholic nature of the work -in contrast to the other Bach masses which are Lutheran- recommends his musicians to“ remember that this music is a dialogue with the Divine. It does not matter if one believes in God or not: one must think of the idea of the absolute".

Along with the extraordinary nature of the work, is the exceptionality of the musicians. In a concert organised in collaboration with the Festival de Música Antigua de Sevilla (Ancient Music Festival of Sevilla), Netherlands conductor Ton Koopman (1944), one of the pioneers of interpreting Baroque music with period piece instruments and criteria, leads the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, the ensemble that has made history in its dissemination of Ancient music. This will be one of the stellar moments of the season. A dialogue with the Divine. Bach at the summit.