Klassik am Meer: Bachs "Orgelmesse"
Johann Sebastian Bach's "Third Part of the Clavier-Übung" is also known as "Orgelmesse."
Bach published very few of his works; unlike many other composers of his time, income from sheet music sales was probably not as significant to him as passing on his art to subsequent generations of composing students. Therefore, his six printed collections exclusively aimed at keyboard players received titles such as "Clavierübung I-IV" or "The Art of Fugue"; other handwritten collections were called "Well-Tempered Clavier" or "Little Organ Book, in which instructions are given to a beginner organist…"
In all his compilations, he sought a conceptual guiding theme like "Preludes and Fugues in all 24 Keys," or "Italian and French Style," and composed a comprehensive selection of various pieces. The fourth part of the Clavier-Übung received its commonly known name "Goldberg Variations" as a commissioned work from the Russian envoy Count Keyserlingk for the exceptionally talented Bach student Johann Gottlieb Goldberg who served him.
The "Third Part of the Clavier-Übung" is also known as "Orgelmesse." The guiding theme of this collection is Martin Luther's Small Catechism and his own chorale melodies, which are set in the most artful manner for the grand organ. This monumental work is structured according to Luther's "six main pieces": Ten Commandments, Creed, Our Father, Baptism, Confession, and Lord's Supper, which Bach precedes like in a church service with Kyrie and Gloria, framed by a Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major.
The cycle will be presented and interpreted by Torsten Johann in a version with arias from Bach's cantatas and the sung chorale melodies used by Bach, together with the Berlin soprano Christina Germolus.
A video projection in the altar area will make the artists playing on the organ loft visible to the audience, while Gerrit Junge will moderate. Sound worlds – hear, enjoy, and see.
Christina Germolus (née Roterberg) was born in Dresden. The soprano began her singing career after completing her studies at the Hochschule für Musik Dresden with the RIAS Kammerchor, where she was a member of the ensemble from 2005 to 2013. In addition, she frequently performed as a soloist, both freelance and within the ensemble. Her repertoire ranges from the old masters to modern works. She was also involved as a soloist in the world premiere of Tigran Mansurian's Requiem, as well as in performances and the CD production of Dieterich Buxtehude's "Membra Jesu nostri." She can be heard as a soloist in recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" under René Jacobs and Frank Martin's "Le Vin herbé" under Daniel Reuss, released by harmonia mundi. At the Batzdorfer Baroque Festival, Christina Germolus was seen in the title role of the production "A Shadow's Dream" on the opera stage in 2011. Additionally, she gives song recitals and collaborates with renowned ensembles and prominent conductors like Hans-Christoph Rademann, René Jacobs, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Sigvards Kļava, and Kaspars Putniņš. She has already worked with Christoph Hagel and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra on Mozart's "La Finta Giardiniera" and "The Magic Flute," as well as on Orff's "Carmina Burana."
Torsten Johann is, along with Gerrit Junge and Simon Kasper, the musical director of the Klassik-am-Meer Festival, which he founded in 2003. Originally from Wilhelmshaven, he studied church music at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hanover and completed his studies in the harpsichord soloist class with Lajos Rovatkay with the concert exam. He is a co-founder of the renowned Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and also performs as an organ and harpsichord soloist, accompanist, and conductor. He leads the chamber orchestra "Klassik am Meer" and brings his diverse and profound knowledge of historical music to it.
Doors open at 18:30.
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