Netherlands Bach Society

Death and Devotion Cantatas by Tunder, Weckmann, Buxtehude, and Ritter It is a remarkable fact that the most expressive and original vocal church music composed in Northern Germany during the latter half of the seventeenth century was the work not of cantors, but of organists. Some of this is due to the exceptional status which had been achieved by organists in cities like Hamburg and Lbeck in the course of the century; they had become both virtuosi par excellence, and at the same time learned composers.

Shunske Sato, one of the world’s most distinctive Baroque violinists, joins Il Pomo d’Oro – an ensemble as imaginative as he is – for Bach.

This is a St Matthew Passion which should please many readers. Bruggen’s interpretation is eloquent, thoughtful in matters of style and expressive content, and it benefits from a textural clarity which few competitors can rival. All aspects of Bach’s miraculous score are taken into account.

Lucia Swarts chooses to explore the highest peaks of cello literature after 35 years of professional work. Swarts performs Bach’s Six Suites for Cello Solo on a Baroque cello, but, uniquely, Suite no.5 is played on a Basse de Violon.

Paul McCreesh is one of the better-known figures in London's active early music scene, particularly as a conductor of small ensemble music of the Baroque. He grew up playing the cello. While at Manchester University, he formed a student chamber choir and ensemble of period instruments. In 1982 he organized it formally as the Gabrieli Consort and Players. .