Baroque on Sunday Afternoon: Solomon's Knot
About the event
On Sunday afternoon, a selection of musicians kisses the Baroque to life. Today, the English vocal-instrumental ensemble Solomons's Knot performs Bach motets. This leading collective breathes new life into early music and pushes the boundaries of what is possible on stage – all from memory and without a conductor. Baroque gems, British style. Solomon's Knot
International, flexible, leading: that is the English collective Solomon's Knot. The instrumentalists and singers breathe new life into old music by pushing the boundaries of what is possible on stage. They sing everything from memory and work without a conductor. Their goal: to combine innovative live performances with meticulous musical preparation to provide the listener with an intense and emotional experience. Solomon's Knot regularly collaborates with directors, visual artists, composers, and choreographers to be challenged and learn from their work. Bach motets are on the collective's Concertgebouw program this afternoon.
Bach's motets
In Bach's time, the motet, a polyphonic choral work set to a religious text, was already old-fashioned. But Bach breathed new life into the genre—and how! He did not write many, but he certainly put effort into it: every motet is a masterpiece. They were often performed during funeral services or special occasions. Bach's motets are intense in feeling, but never theatrical; the emotions reside within. In the nineteenth century, Mendelssohn rediscovered this repertoire. A selection of these Baroque gems will be performed during this afternoon concert.
