Bach Akademie Australia’s Glorious Easter Program

Bach Akademie Australia begins its 2022 season Bach and the Art of Dialogue in April, launching four touring concert series covering seven different City and Greater Sydney venues. Directed by Bach doyen and international violin virtuoso Madeleine Easton, Bach Akademie Australia includes some of Australia’s finest instrumental and vocal interpreters of baroque music, widely respected for their brilliant and informed performances.

There are three April performances (Paddington, Penrith and Chatswood) of the self-titled concert Easter Oratorio,an all-Bach program dedicated exclusively to the music of J S Bach, which also features two of his best and most beautiful cantatas, written especially for Easter, BWV 42 and BWV 6. Of his five cycles written whilst serving as cantor for the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, these two cantatas are completely contrasting in tone and mood, but are yet amongst his most heartfelt and joyful with their messages of hope and comfort for all.

Then follows arguably Bach’s best-loved and most jubilant work: the Easter Oratorio. In this wonderful, thrilling piece, the composer utilises a full choir and orchestra to amplify his message of pure joy and celebration, continuing to uplift many hundreds of years after they were written.

The program: J.S. Bach Cantata ‘Am abend aber desselbigen Sabbats’ BWV 42/ Cantata ‘Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden’ BWV 6/ Easter Oratorio BWV 249

Friday 8th April 7:30pm – St Francis of Assisi Church, Paddington/

Saturday 9th April 7:30pm – Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith

Sunday 10th April 2:30pm -Our Lady of Dolours Church, Chatswood