Bach Akademie Australia On The Road To Lübeck

Bach Akademie Australia is delighted to present In the Steps of Bach – The Road to Lübeck, a musical journey of self-discovery and inspiration with concerts in Sydney and Newcastle.

Featuring three of Australia’s finest musicians, organist Marko Sever, bass baritone Andrew O’Connor, and countertenor Russell Harcourt, Bach Akademie Australia will take audiences on the young Bach’s 400-kilometre expedition from Arnstadt to Lübeck, in pursuit of his idol, Buxtehude.

In the autumn of 1705, a young 20-year-old Bach began a journey on foot of almost 400 kilometres from Arnstadt in the heart of Germany, to Lübeck near the Baltic coast. Who would undertake such a gruelling expedition? Only one such as J.S. Bach, whose desire to study the art and craft of the famous organist Dietrich Buxtehude, drove him to complete a journey most would baulk at – such was his desire to learn from his idol and better himself as a musician.

Opening the program is music by J.S Bach’s older cousin, Johann Christoph Bach’s magnificent Chorale zum praeludium Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. A mixture of works by the great Baroque masters follow, including Pachelbel’s Chaconne in F minor for organ and Bach’s symbol of the Holy Trinity, his Prelude and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552, all performed on the organ.

The St James’ performance marks one of the first concerts featuring the church’s brand-new pipe organ following its installation earlier this year as part of St James’ 200th Anniversary celebrations.

This concert series also marks the first time Bach Akademie Australia will be performing in Newcastle, at the historic Christ Church Cathedral. Known for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture and rich history, the cathedral’s organ is renowned for its magnificent sound quality and intricate craftsmanship.

Tickets
The program
JOHANN CHRISTOPH BACH Chorale zum praeludium ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’/ PACHELBEL Muscaliche Ergöztung Suite in C major/ PACHELBEL Chaconne in F minor for organ P.43/ Marko Sever, organ
NICHOLAS BRUHNS ‘Der Herr hat seinen Stuhl im Himmel bereitet’/ Andrew O’Connor
GEORG BÖHM Chorale Prelude ‘Christ lag in TodesbGEORG BÖHM Chorale Prelude ‘Christ lag in Todesbanden’/ J.S. BACH Prelude and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552/ BUXTEHUDE Toccata in F major BuxWV 156/ Marko Sever
J.S BACH Cantata ‘Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seenlust’ BWV 170/ Russell Harcourt

Performers
Madeleine Easton – director/solo violin/ Marko Sever – organ/ Andrew O’Connor – Baritone/ Russell Harcourt – Countertenor

Dates and Times
St James’ Church, Sydney Friday September 20, 7:30pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle Sunday September 22, 2:30pm

Read our review of Bach Akademie Australia’s recent concert The Mind of a Genius.