Translate

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Sunday, 10 June 2018: Leipzig, Germany

After breakfast today, we went for a walk in the Leipziger Auwald park, which is behind the zoo.

View of Leipzig from Leipziger Auwald


Ströbi at the Leipziger Auwald
On the way back we stopped for lunch at a cafe. I had scrambled eggs with ham and dark bread, and Dan had a sweet apple crepe. Their mint iced tea, served with a dollop of lemon sorbet was very refreshing!

Stopping for crepes and coffee



We went back to the hotel to rest before the concert. Just before the concert, we walked to the Thomaskirche and had time to pay our respects at Bach's burial place inside the church.  I felt such gratitude for him, that we have been able to hear and enjoy his music, and be so changed by him.

Johann Sebastian Bach's final burial place

Thomaskirche Nave

Thomaskirche organ in the balcony

Thomaskirche pulpit

Thomaskirche stained glass (1)

Thomaskirche stained glass (2)

Cora's Ströbi waits quietly for the concert to begin
Ton Koopman before the Concert

We had better seats for tonight's concert.  The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra was in the balcony at the rear of the church, but we could see them.  Klaus Mertens, who has recorded all of Bach's Cantatas, was the bass.  It was wonderful to see him perform in person. The music was deeply reverential and so beautifully performed. 

Bows and applause after the concert


Ton Koopman and soloists. Klaus Mertens is on the far right.

Program: Ring of Cantatas 9

  • J. S. Bach: Komm, du süße Todesstunde, BWV 161
  • H. L. Hassler: Si bona suscepimus
  • J. S. Bach: Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben, BWV 8
  • J. S. Bach: Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende, BWV 27
  • J. Gallus: Media vita in morte sumus
  • J. S. Bach: Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95
Martha Bosch (soprano), Maarten Engeltjes (contratenor), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, direction: Ton Koopman

Judy in front of the Thomaskirche after a very moving concert

Judy and Dan. We did it! After 9 years of planning and saving, we finally made it to the BachFest!
We stopped for supper after the concert, a glass of Riesling with salmon and gnocchi, followed by a French cheese plate. Then we headed back to the hotel to shower and pack for our drive to Timmendorfer Strand tomorrow.



No comments: