Prom 19 (2000)

7.00pm - Friday, 28th July, 2000 - Royal Albert Hall

Dominique Labelle soprano
Annette Markert mezzo-soprano
David Daniels counter-tenor
Mark Padmore tenor
Alastair Miles bass

Choir of the Enlightenment

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Sir Roger Norrington conductor

Programme

Johan Christoph Bach: Motet 'Leiber Herr Gott, wecke uns auf!'
Bach: Mass in B minor
        (Dominique Labelle soprano)
        (Annette Markert mezzo-soprano)
        (David Daniels counter-tenor)
        (Mark Padmore tenor)
        (Alastair Miles bass)

Comments

After a brief introduction from Sir Roger Norrington, emphasising the significance of performing this music on the day (and even at the same time in the evening) on which Bach died 250 years previously, musical proceedings began with the Choir of the Enlightenment singing the Johan Christoph Bach motet 'Leiber Herr Gott, wecke uns auf!' in the arrangement made by Johan Sebastian shortly before his death. Right from the first notes the choir were in wonderful voice, with a clear tone and precise rhythms, filling the Albert Hall with a glorious sound. I'm less sure that the instrumental accompanyment by members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment would have been audible throughout the Hall, furtunately we were seated very close to the stage and could appreciate the restrained emphasis added in places by the instruments.
The Choir then re-arranged themselves before getting down to the main business of the evening: Bach's monumental Mass in B minor. The piece burst into vibrant life from the start, the impact greatly enhanced by the size of the performing ensembles: augmented beyond normal "historically informed performance" scale though maintaining other aspects of such practice. Thrilling choral and instrumental ensemble work was backed up with outstandingly strong individual contributions, from counter-tenor David Daniels and horn player Roger Montgomery in particular. The intensity didn't relent and the momentum carried through to the very end. All concerned played and sang their hearts out to create a triumphant testament to the extraordinary genius of Bach which will long live in the memory. By far the most intense performance of the B minor Mass I've attended. Outstanding!

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