Prom 42: 16.08.16 - The Sixteen sing Bach and Pärt

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

22:15 Tuesday 16 Aug 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet 'Komm, Jesu, komm!'
Arvo Pärt: Nunc dimittis
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet 'Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied'
Arvo Pärt: Triodion
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet 'Jesu, meine Freude'

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor


In this Late Night Prom Harry Christophers and his vocal group The Sixteen present a selection of JS Bach's rigorous yet deeply spiritual motets written in Leipzig in the 1720s, placing them against the resounding purity of sacred choral works by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including his Nunc dimittis, a cautious but luminous vision of eternity. An enlightening juxtaposition from one of the world's leading ensembles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07nmszy

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This could well work. . .

[BBMmk2]

This could well work. . .

I know it will!

A very good combination. Their recording, The Deer's Cry, of Byrd, Tallis and part, works very well.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

All set to record!

[Ferretfancy]

I met a friend for this late concert, so I had a rather nice seat instead of my usual stand in the Arena. The Sixteen gave their usual excellent performance, and there was quite a good audience.
I have to confess that I enjoyed the Part rather more than the Bach. From my position in the stalls the contrapuntal lines in the motets often sounded blurred, and although there was a continuo it was quite hard to hear, whereas the soprano tone was very dominating and piercing.

Why are so many choral groups top heavy with the male voices so underpowered?

I suspect that it would all sound better from a closer vantage point, or maybe on Radio 3

What a beautiful piece the Part Nunc Dimittis is!

[DracoM]

Totally agree about the Bach.




NB: Forumites might wonder why as one of the The Choir Hosts I don't post Proms choral concerts. It is largely because many dedicated posters but primarily EinAlpensinfonie regularly puts up Proms material and there is AFAICS no point in repetition as if to colonise a genre!!