Matthias Keller, Moderator

Programme Booklet

Download Programme Booklet (in German)

Masaaki Suzuki enjoys worldwide renown as a Bach specialist. His complete recording of Bach’s cantatas with the Bach Collegium Japan, an ensemble which he founded himself, has already won multiple prizes. Now this Japanese harpsichordist and conductor, trained in Tokyo and Amsterdam, is entering uncharted musical territory. Having already conducted Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah at this year’s Leipzig Bach Festival, he will open the season of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra with Mendelssohn’s first oratorio St. Paul (op. 36), premièred in Düsseldorf in 1836. It is a work abounding in allusions to Bach, including quotations of Lutheran hymns and rigorous baroque forms, yet filled with romantic warmth of feeling and gripping drama. With Bach expert Suzuki at the rostrum of the Bavarian RSO we can expect to hear a new rendition of St. Paul, one expunged of outdated performance clichés, romanticisms and dynamic excesses. Joining him will be the Bavarian Radio Choir and the solo vocalists Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Stefanie Irányi (mezzo-soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor) and Franz-Josef Selig (bass).

Unfortunately, mezzo-soprano Roxana Constantinescu had to cancel her performance at this concert. We are very happy that Stefanie Irányi has agreed to take over the part. Albert Dohmen takes over the part of Franz-Josef Selig, who fell ill in short notice.

Photos of Rehearsal and Concert

Get a first impression of our rehearsals and our concert with Masaaki Suzuki.