Ricercar Consort . Philippe Pierlot

An exceptional extra concert for lovers of passion music, a performance of Bach's St John Passion by the Ricercar Consort. It can be said without exaggeration that the St John Passion is the apotheosis of the whole of Western musical history up to 1724. In 1724, Bach had held the post of Thomas Cantor in Leipzig for a year, and it was in this period that he wrote two everlasting monuments: the St John Passion and the St Matthew Passion. He was quite free with the Biblical texts in these works. He expanded and commented on them using contemplative writings. The musical setting is almost like a madrigal. The mystical undertone and the emphatically dramatic judgement scenes distinguish the St John Passion from the 1729 St Matthew Passion, which is more narrative and occasionally even lyrical. This musical version of the story of the passion according to St John expresses Bach's awareness of death more than other works. It can only be comprehended on the basis of his strong religious feelings, his Lutheran convictions and his life and death with God. The Blue Hall will resound like a church. Close your eyes and experience the passion as brought to you by Philippe Pierlot and his companions.