Monday 6 May, 7.30pm

‘Ein neues Lied’: Music of Change in an Age of Reform

at the Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford
Part of the Oxford Early Music Festival

“I also wish that we had as many songs as possible in the vernacular which the people could sing…but poets and musicians are are wanting among us, or not yet known, who could compose evangelical and spiritual songs, as St Paul calls them, worthy to be used in the church of God.”

The Reformation was already well underway before Martin Luther turned his attention to music. Nonetheless, it quickly became one of the defining features of the Lutheran Church, and J.S. Bach’s music is often seen as the culmination of the Lutheran musical tradition. However, numerous composers can be seen to have produced some incredibly beautiful music in the aftermath of Luther’s calls for Reformation, which laid the groundwork for Bach’s work. Oxford Baroque present a programme of music by composers including Heinrich Schütz, Johann Schein and J.S. Bach, united by their efforts at synthesizing an innovative approach to German vocal music. Ranging from the jubilant and exuberant to the deeply contemplative, this is a concert which will present some incredibly powerful music by both familiar and less well-known composers, to round off the first Oxford Early Music Festival.

Programme includes:

J.S. Bach – Cantata BWV 150 ‘Nach dir, Herr, Verlanget mich’
J.S. Bach – Cantata BWV 196 ‘Der Herr Denket An Uns’
Heinrich Schütz – Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied
plus other music by Schein, Schelle and Buxtehude

“Brimming with talent…” (BBC Radio 3)
“An exciting setup of young professional singers and players, Oxford Baroque is one ensemble to watch closely…” (Bachtrack)