Bach’s music has moved and inspired audiences and performers for generations, but tragedy was a constant companion to him. Orphaned aged ten and father to twenty children, only ten of whom survived to adulthood, Bach’s life was deeply affected by loss. This programme explores both Bach’s personal relationship with death, and music which delves into the Lutheran idea of the ars moriendi, the art of dying.

The central work is Heinrich Schütz’s landmark work, Musikalische Exequien, the first sung Requiem in German. The final movement is a setting of the canticle of Simeon, which is paraphrased in the Lutheran burial chorale, Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, presented here in its setting by Dieterich Buxtehude.

J.S. Bach’s older cousin, Johann Christoph Bach had a link to Heinrich Schütz through his education in Arnstadt. His setting of Lieber Herr Gott, wekke uns auf was performed at J.S. Bach’s funeral, and the two cousin’s settings of Fürchte dich nicht frame the programme. Selections from J.S. Bach’s great unfinished deathbed work, The Art of Fugue, is also presented here in a version for keyboard duet.

Directed by Dónal McCann, with harpsichordist Anhad Arora and singers from the OBS Choral Scholarship Scheme.