Bach Akademie Australia Brings ‘Comfort And Joy’ With Cantatas For Christmas

Acclaimed violinist and concertmaster Madeleine Easton leads her Bach Akademie Australia with 36 of Australia’s finest baroque instrumentalists and singers through J S Bach’s most sublime and joyous Christmas cantatas in three Sydney concerts.

Easton’s remarkable period instrument ensemble, now celebrating its third year, will perform Comfort and Joy – Cantatas for Christmas, comprising the Cantata BWV 151 Süsser Trost (Sweet Comfort), followed by his virtuosic Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor featuring the outstanding baroque flautist, Mikaela Oberg; part 2 includes the pastoral Sinfonia from the Christmas Oratorio and the Cantata BWV 191 Gloria, Bach’s only cantata set in Latin, which he later used so brilliantly in his Mass in B minor. 

‘The story of Christmas, of peace on earth and goodwill to mankind, has inspired many a great composer, but none so more than J.S. Bach,’ says Madeleine, whose Akademie is devoted to playing and educating young Australians about Bach’s work. ‘This theme gave his genius free rein to compose music which continues to comfort, inspire and exult all who hear it through the centuries.’

Madeleine Easton, whose talent playing both period and modern styles of violin led to her special partnership with the Royal Academy of Music in London, will play on a 1682 Giovanni Grancinco violin. Following two decades with many leading orchestras worldwide, she returned to Australia in 2016 to create here an Akademie dedicated to a virtuosic and scholastic exploration of Bach’s musical genius.
Leading instrumentalists also joining her include Neal Peres da Costa (harpsichord), Nathan Cox (organ), Daniel Yeadon (cello), Richard Fomison (natural trumpet) and Anna Sandstrom (soprano).

Bookings at www.bachakademieaustralia.com.au/events or Phone 1300 785 377