Bach's complete vocal works
The J.S. Bach Foundation has embarked on a remarkable undertaking: over a period of some 25 years, the Foundation will perform the complete vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750).
Each month, one of the over 200 Bach cantatas is performed in the idyllic town of Trogen in Appenzell, Switzerland. With a rhythm of 12 cantatas per year, the project is estimated to conclude in the year 2030. All concerts, workshops and reflection lectures are recorded on DVD; the texts of the lectures appear in book form.
The main aim of the J.S. Bach Foundation's ambitious project is to provide a living Bach experience for today's listeners and to deepen our understanding of the great composer's works. The artistic director of the foundation is Rudolf Lutz, who rehearses and conducts all performances with the choir, orchestra and solo vocalists.
A monumental project
- Performance of the complete vocal works of Bach
- One concert per month, with an estimated duration of 25 years
- All concerts are performed on period instruments
- With conductor Rudolf Lutz, a musical experience of the highest quality is guaranteed
- Complementary workshops and reflection lectures on libretti and music
- Every performance is released on DVD, the texts appear in a Bach Anthology
- The project is fully financed by private persons
Workshops
One and a half hours prior to the concert, conductor Rudolf Lutz and theologist Karl Graf give a workshop on the musical and theological background of the evening's cantata.
Concert evenings
Only one cantata is performed per concert – but, for that, it is played twice. To present the work in its context, each cantata is performed according to its place in the church calendar.
Reflection lectures
Between the two performances, notable speakers from various spheres of society reflect on the text of the cantata. These reflection lectures are published in book form to create a continually growing Bach anthology of the 21st century.
Vocal works of J. S. Bach
The vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) comprise over 200 cantatas, six motets, diverse mass settings, the Passions and the oratorios as well as the Mass in B minor.
The mere thought of condensing this – simply in terms of sheer quantity – monumental oeuvre into a single performance cycle is rather daunting. The demands in terms of quality are at least equally as intimidating due to Bach's exacting musical dictates and the inherent challenge of interpreting the works.
Bach's cantatas are, as a general rule, compositions of several movements composed for choir, orchestra and solo vocalists. The cantatas were originally performed in church services (the church cantatas) or at festive events (worldly cantatas).