Passie voor Bach - CONCERTI CON TITULI

 In the 18th century, music publishers or composers often gave popular concerts titles to boost sales. For example, Antonio Vivaldi named the two concertos in this program based on the unique story behind them. A manuscript of Grosso Mogul reached Johann Sebastian Bach, who adapted it into an organ composition, titled Concerts with Nicknames.

Bach himself rarely gave titles to his instrumental works. The six concertos he sent in 1721 to the Margrave of Brandenburg were only named Brandenburg Concertos after his death. For his seven toccatas for harpsichord, Bach drew inspiration from the sun, the moon, and the five planets visible to the naked eye. The Toccata in C minor, with its massive double fugue, was undoubtedly inspired by Jupiter.

For its fifth season, Phion, Orkest van Gelderland & Overijssel, and Wilminktheater & Muziekcentrum Enschede are collaborating on the series Passie voor Bach. In four themed concerts on Sunday mornings at the Grote Kerk, Ensemble Himmelsburg will perform a selection of well-known and lesser-known works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries.

Ensemble Himmelsburg, named after the Schlosskirche in Weimar where Bach worked for several years, is made up of Phion musicians with a deep passion for Bach, complemented by violinist Carla Leurs and harpsichordist and organist Pieter Dirksen, who also serves as the musical director. On Sunday, November 10, at the Grote Kerk in Enschede: Passie voor Bach - CONCERTI CON TITULI.

The Passie voor Bach series is a co-production of Phion, Orkest van Gelderland & Overijssel, and Wilminktheater & Muziekcentrum Enschede.