Singing Bach: Leipzig

Paul Agnew and the musicians of Les Arts Florissants continue their cycle “Bach, A Life in Music”, with a new episode devoted to a crucial period for the composer: his first year in Leipzig...

In the spring of 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach was awarded the position of Cantor of the city of Leipzig... but he was not the first choice. Now he had to prove himself, and quickly! His new position required him to write a cantata for every Sunday and public holiday. And that's not all: in addition to this, he was also responsible for the musical direction of these new compositions. As rehearsal time was very limited, Bach often had only one day to work on a new piece before it was performed in public - fortunately, with the help of excellent musicians. So he had to draw on all his creative resources... and take inspiration from the best models he knew.

Focusing on the year of his arrival in Leipzig, this program invites us to plunge into Bach's creative effervescence in that crazy year of 1723, marked by exceptional productivity and almost daily work on the cantata form. The four works featured here - all three from 1723 - are set against another cantata by a composer of whom Bach was a fervent admirer: Dietrich Buxtehude.

À At the Philharmonie de Paris, the audience will be invited to sing along with the singers and instrumentalists of Les Arts Florissants at the end of the concert, during a participatory “encore” prepared in advance. An unforgettable evening of sharing!