Genealogy of a Genius - Bach family motets

Orlando Chamber Choir
Lucy Goddard, director
Oliver John Ruthven, organ

Orlando Chamber Choir invites you to an evening of copious counterpoint by Johann Sebastian Bach, his ancestors and their descendants. We reel you into the repertoire with “the” Bach’s moving masterpiece "Komm, Jesu, komm" – but no sooner have you settled in your seat than we sing you off it with the double-choir jubilation of "Das ist meine Freude" by Bach’s third cousin Johann Ludwig. Further down the family tree we find Johann Michael, Bach’s father-in-law and uncle to his first wife. He intricately interweaves his motets' melodies to set hymns and Psalm texts simultaneously, creating a contemplative discourse between heavenly and eartly voices. Johann Michael’s brother Johann Christoph contributes more intimately crafted compositions with madrigalian musicality and word-painting aplenty. We leave you with the hope and comfort of Bach’s "Ich lasse dich nicht" which, true to its title, once heard stays with you forever. Come and marvel at the masterful motets of this phenomenal family!

J.M. Bach – Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe
J.M. Bach – Halt, was du hast
J.S. Bach – Komm, Jesu, komm
J.S. Bach – Ich lasse dich nicht
J.L. Bach – Das ist meine Freude
J.C. Bach – Lieber Herr Gott, wecke uns auf
J.C. Bach – Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahren
J.C. Bach – Der Gerechte, ob er gleich zu zeitlich stirbt
J.C. Bach – Fürchte dich nicht
J.C. Bach – Es ist nun aus mit deinem Leben
Nystedt – Immortal Bach