Orchester der Berliner Bach Akademie, Heribert Breuer, Johanna Kaldewei, Annekathrin Laabs, Daniel Johannsen, Philipp Jekal, Chor der Berliner Bach Akademie

Work performed:

Georg Friedrich Händel: Messiah, oratorio HWV 56

Cast

• Orchestra of the Berlin Bach Academy
  
• Choir of the Berlin Bach Academy
  
• Heribert Breuer, conductor
  
• Johanna Kaldewei, soprano
  
• Annekathrin Laabs, alto
  
• Daniel Johannsen, tenor
  
• Philipp Jekal, bass
  

Anyone familiar with the Berliner Bach Akademie's programming knows that Heribert Breuer likes to set a particular tone. In this concert, he draws on an exciting historical connection:
Towards the end of his life, Mozart was commissioned by Baron van Swieten to arrange a number of Handel's works, including Messiah. He adapted the oratorio to contemporary tastes and expanded it to include a significantly larger wind section, for which he composed new parts.
Heribert Breuer takes up this idea and integrates Mozart's intended woodwind parts for the oboes and bassoons into the original Handel version.
This creates a fascinating blend of sounds that combines baroque transparency with a colourful orchestral sound and offers the audience a unique listening experience.
George Frederic Handel's Messiah was composed in London in just a few weeks in 1741 and is now one of the most famous and most frequently performed oratorios in music history.
The work is based on a collection of biblical texts selected by the librettist Charles Jennens and tells the story of the announcement, life, suffering and resurrection of Christ in three parts.
Handel's music is characterised by an impressive diversity – from heartfelt arias and moving recitatives to monumental choruses such as the famous ‘Hallelujah Chorus’.
Particularly noteworthy is the close connection between text and music, which enables Handel to convey profound emotions and impressively underline the message of the work. In the German version, this effect is further enhanced by the immediate comprehensibility of the texts, allowing listeners to discover a new dimension of this musical masterpiece.

The Berlin Bach Academy has around 50 members. Since its foundation in 1991, it has brought together ambitious singers who are willing to study independently and rehearse intensively. The aim is to perform concerts in a professional environment that have a special impact on the performers and the audience.