Bach - Opening Chorus Kommt, ihr Töchter from St Matthew Passion BWV 244 | Netherlands Bach Society
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- čas přidán 2. 04. 2019
- The opening chorus from the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244), performed here by the Netherlands Bach Society and conducted by Jos van Veldhoven for All of Bach. The St Matthew Passion tells the story of the last days of Jesus. He is betrayed, tried, crucified and buried. The lyrics were compiled by Picander (the pseudonym of Christian Friedrich Henrici), probably in close consultation with Bach himself. For their theme, they took the story as told by St Matthew the Evangelist. As different groups or people have their say, the singers get different roles - Christ, Judas, Peter, a slave girl, the pupils, the high priests, the people and the soldiers, etc.
At key moments in the story, Bach and Picander added chorales and arias as a reflection of the biblical story. The action is suspended and the events are placed in the theological context of Bach’s day.
The chorale lyrics and melodies come from the Lutheran hymn book, and were well known to the congregation in Leipzig. Even though Bach’s harmonies were new, everyone would have recognised the melody and the words. The lyrics for the opening and closing choruses and the arias were brand new, however. Both the arias and the chorales often link up seamlessly with the evangelical words.
Recorded for the project All of Bach on 16th and 19th April 2014 at Grote Kerk, Naarden. If you want to help us complete All of Bach, please subscribe to our channel bit.ly/2vhCeFB and consider donating bit.ly/2uZuMj5.
For various interviews with performers from the Netherlands Bach Society about the St Matthew Passion, as well as documentaries on the work, go to • Documentaries on St Ma...
For more information on BWV 244 and this production go to allofbach.com/en/bwv/bwv-244/
All of Bach is a project of the Netherlands Bach Society / Nederlandse Bachvereniging, offering high-quality film recordings of the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Netherlands Bach Society and its guest musicians. Visit our free online treasury for more videos and background material allofbach.com/en/. For concert dates and further information go to www.bachvereniging.nl/nederla....
Netherlands Bach Society
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor - Hudba
This music purifies me internally, it heals my soul, it engages the better part of my nature. I am grateful for JS Bach and for this magnificent performance by the Netherlands Bach Society. Thank you♥
The most beautiful music I have ever heard. Celestial. When I first heard this 50 years ago, my eyes welled up and my heart expanded. I was simply transported. Never had I heard such heart-wrenching beauty. And still to this day its the same. Divinely inspired. I was in my early 20s living as a homeless vagabond on the streets of Kansas City in the winter time. I wandered into the public library for warmth. I found this music, and for no reason at all played it. It was an old plastic LP recording, and I played it on the library record player using some cheap headphones that they supplied. It changed my life. Weeks later I brought two native American vagabond friends of mine to the library to hear it. They were brothers and had never heard classical music. Bear in mind this was before the internet, and TV had only just begun on the Oklahoma reservation were they were from. But I was not surprised, when one of them began sobbing as the chorus sang. He said "it sounds like angels in heaven"
What an amazing story; hearing this divine music while I read your account made me see the whole thing in my mind as a transformative, catalistic scene of a movie ! I hope that you have overcome the difficulties of your life and is now living comfortably and able to appreciate music like this with no more worries in life, you deserve it!
@@tecaarantes Thank you for your kind and warm wishes. Yes all is well, having overcome my difficulties, educated myself, got married, had children, and grandchildren. I've been quite blessed and am grateful for my life. i hope all is well with you as well.
There is simply no debate; Bach is the greatest artist to have ever lived. His St. Matthew Passion alone trumps the combined output of almost any composer to exist, and that isn't even counting the other ≥1127 other works.
While personally Beethoven is the composer whos music hits me at the deepest level, there is no denying that Bach is the greatest musician who has lived on this planet.
This piece is a proof of it.
I have similar feelings. On a human level, Beethoven is a seer. Bach, however, was the most capable.
Bach is my favourite composer. Always respect the art of Beethoven, though.
...and yet,... there was a time when all of Bach's (and Beethoven's) genius was contained in something which was smaller than a grain of sand. The Creator is the One True Genius.
Exactly my feelings!
Beethoven has always been my favourite (includes also personal reasons), but Bach is something else. Out of this world. I cannot begin to comprehend his genius, St Matthew’s passion speaks to me on another level.
Same here ;-) Although I love Beethoven and Wagner most I have to admit that you might be true. There is an 8 bit piece on the internet about the opening where every note of this piece is shown in a 3 dimensional grid. There, you can get the impression why Bachs compositions are beyond crazy. It's not only that he managed to make divine sounding music. Every single voice has its own character and he somehow managed to unite everything. A craft what should be almost impossible. Maybe it is and he had help from the heaven
Bach doesn't just transport you to another time, he transports you to another planet altogether.
Bach transport you to other Universe
Soli Deo gloria!
We are in the presence of genius. How could any human being write such music??? A magnificent performance, sublime. Thank you, Nederlands Bach Society.
It's truly unbelievable.
emotional and from a genius indeed....wil we see a bach or rembrand again?
There are no words to describe this audible magnificence. It would be like a flea trying to explain quantum mechanics to a jellyfish.
@UCpw9PUzHSMa-OZ9xTqr3fnA, Indeed, how could a human being write this? It is so beautiful, so magnificent and phenomenal that my whole being is overwhelmed by the beauty and I always cry, it is just too beautiful. And to think that : "After the death of Johann Sebastian Bach, the two Passions - according to Saint John and according to Saint Matthew - fell into oblivion for a century: it was the composer Felix Mendelssohn who unearthed them in 1829." Thank god for Mendelssohn!
If you were an organist like me, you would be even more amazed. Why? Because while works like the Passions, the Mass, etc. are supreme works of emotional art, his keyboard works are almost diametrically opposed. They are as much science and engineering as art. It's like one man who painted the greatest paintings and statues of all time, but also designed and built the Eiffel Tower, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Probably the only other human being to reach those lofty intellectual heights would have been da Vinci.
I listen Bach and, GEEZ, how I wanted to believe in God!
That man was a pure genius!
If one chooses to believe, they must do so of their own accord. Though I believe in God, I do not believe the same faith as Bach did. Nonetheless, I respect the profound spirituality of his work, and his awe for God as conveyed through music. Wolff has noted that people of multiple faiths and none perceive this in his work.
Haha I feel the same wayy
I struggle to listen to this without tearing up. Don't know why it cuts me so deeply. Amazing performance, guys!
Not to be moved by the music is impossible.. Marcus, I hear you!
@@thomasakerberg6765❤
The performance seems to come straight from heaven.
O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
Am Stamm des Kreuzes geschlachtet,
Allzeit erfund’n geduldig,
Wiewohl du wärst verachtet.
All’ Sünd’ hast du getragen,
Sonst müßten wir verzagen.
Erbam’ dich unser, o Jesu.❤
Erbarm’ dich unser, o Jesu, o Jesu.
The Netherland Bach Society knows how to perform Bach. Great recording!
I am so grateful to this collection of masterful artists putting so much into playing this incredibly profound music.
I love the deep connection of the Dutch with Bach.
How they really manage to perform this endless complex masterpiece flawlessly is beyond my comprehension.
Bach truly is the fifth disciple.
The whole piece is a heartrendingly beautiful miracle, but the final crescendo (7:08 onwards) literally brings tears to my eyes almost every time. Am I alone to be so moved by such sublime music?
the special passage for me starts at 6:15
No. I feel the same is a wonderful piece of music and art.
This part of the passion, I really believe , is located at the top of the highest picks of music. Something extraordinary exists in it.
There is not much that can beat watching a group of wonderful musicians playing and singing this opening choir, what I think is the most majestic piece of music in the history of mankind. Only thing that can possibly beat it, is singing in the choir itself, which I have been blessed to have been able to do many times. Much more amateur level, but my god, singing that music with all those people together, moving on and breathing the same notes...no words for that experience. Only drawback is you can't let your tears go on stage, while watching this, no problem!
Conductor John Nelson still remembers his own amateur performance of "Christ Lag in Todesbanden". He said "the music is the music." Even when I was struggling through Bach fugues, my clumsy playing could not disguise the genius of these pieces.
NADA SUPERA A BACH! My allegory for him is the Titan Prometheus, he came to Earth to give us fire, to make us aware of the soul and illuminate them.
Wonderful words, Nacida del Mar. Estoy contigo. Thank you for your input♥
@@manuelnuman Gracias a ti!
Hi, Bach did not take his music out of the blue. There was a whole world of great music before 1700. Go out and explore it!
@@Steinbach1984 Yes, we KNOW that, smart ass! :-D But still 'Nothing compares to J.S. Bach'! That's what Nacidodelmar wanted to express...
This piece always brings tears of awe streaming down my cheeks.
Bach es el padre de la música, sus obras sublimes llegan al alma, saludos desde Chile 🎼🎶❤
And so starts the greatest of all musical compositions of all ages, past and forthcoming...
Gloria in excelsis deo!!!
Dès les premières notes, ont sent qu'on est en présence d'un monument de la musique et de la spiritualité chrétienne. Cette oeuvre est belle et tragique. Tragique car elle manifeste l'incompréhension du chrétien face au sort réservé au Christ. Elle est belle car elle va chercher au plus profond de nous même les ressorts de l'empathie de l'homme pour celui qui a donné sa vie pour sauver l'humanité. L'interprétation de la Société Bach Néerlandaise laisse sans voix tellement elle émeut. Merci à tous les interprètes et à Paul Van Veldhoven d'avoir osé un tempo mesuré qui nous laisse le temps de participer à cette célébration comme si nous y étions...
daccord avec vous , cet tres beaux !le tempo un peut lent ne nuit pas a l oeuvre ,mais je prefere la version de michel corboz qui pour mois et la meilleure . j avais amener en cadeaux la passion st mathieux a mes amis hazaris dans le nord de l afganistant et l ecoute de ce chef d euvre a provoquer une hilariter innextinguible ! et generale ,comme quoi la musique n et pas un langage universel npour tous ! pierre-xavier
So beautiful, one of the sublimest opus by Bach.
Listening to wonderful music like this, it is impossible not to believe in God! Many thanks to the Bach Music Society of the Netherlands who uploaded this wonder on their CZcams channel, allowing us to enjoy it for free. 👏👏👏👏👏🏆🥇
Красота музыки восхищает и даёт наслаждение. А сочетание человечности и духовности не перестаёт удивлять - раз за разом.
У NBS очень красивые видео. Исполнение на высшем уровне. Оформление - тоже. Применение современных технологий создаёт безупречность во всём. Спасибо!
Rigtig smuk sang af koret, små som store, samt en skøn musik......
6:16 this! Bach gave everything for this
Wunderschön❤❤❤ Habe es bereits als Kind gerne gehört und einiges auf dem Klavier gelernt.
6:38 and the following bars: UNBELIEVABLE , A MIRACLE
Sublime. Just sublime.
Best performance ever
Saint Matthew's Passion in my opinion is the greatest piece of classical music ever written
It's the greatest work of art in the history of mankind, but it's not hyperbole. 1:22
Thanks you Netherlands Bach Society for this moment
Maravilhoso! Parabéns, coral!👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤❤🇧🇷
Espléndido Bellísimo Angelical. GRACIAS MAESTROS
DESDE MÉXICO
Ezquisita interpretacion de esta pasion.
Great performance! My second favourite after Maestro Klemperers slow tempi epic. Awesome work people 👏🏻.
How beautiful tenor parts are!
Bravo ! Quelle merveille. Merci, merci
Massive Thank You.
Adore.
Excellent performance!
Really enjoyed it.
Wonderful performance!
Maravilloso, lo mejor
iDe verdad! Saludos desde Alemania. 🤗
Wonderful! I sang in the children's chorus of this piece with fellow fifth and sixth graders from the Advent School in Boston in a concert given by the choir of the Church of the Advent, and a professional LP recording was made of it. Though our singing was off-key and nasal compared to these boys, it was a very memorable musical experience. Bravo to the Netherlands Bach Society!
Parfait!!
Een werk voor 5 vlaamse sopranen, koor en orkest 🙂
Bravissime Griet, Lore, Sarah, Hilde en Annelies!
¡¡¡¡ Hermosa música bella , bella 😢
Choral prelude par excellence
Divine...
I love this choir: the superb chorus and orchestral playing - but why such a steady, almost sluggish speed for the opening chorus? The drama has begun, this enormous, world changing event is upon us, but the orchestra, with steady, hesitant steps almost reluctantly opens this massive work. I can clearly recall hearing Paul Steinitz and his orchestra and chorus performing this masterpiece in Chichester Cathedral in 1981. From the opening bars we were instantly drawn into the action. The speed wasn't rushed, but moved with a momentum and urgency, which seem to say, 'this is it, the moment has arrived and we're about to take part in a happening, a real drama, which will leave us emotionally drained'
In less musical terms, I believe the chorus should begin with a bang and not a whimper! The sound is still magnificent.b
Slower tempi is better, especially for religious works. This is a heavy story, and the slower tempo is almost indicative of Christ slowly carrying His cross up the hill of Calvary. The opening chorus isn't a dance, as so many mischaracterize, but more likened to sobbing and weeping; slow and melancholic, as the libretto says, "Come and mourn with me, ye daughters". I think the tempo is fabulous.
@@fooberdooge3103 Sorry. Can't agree. It's certainly a narrative and should reflect the solemnity and enormity of the event, but as witnesses to the passion, it's a drama and needs to move with a certainty and strong sense of inevitability. I agree that a steady, reverent pace adds the necessary gravitas and respect for the Christian listener (as no doubt, Bach intended) but for my secular ear, I need to dragged into the drama 🎭 minus the emotional baggage.
Philip Savins This is no opera. It is a passion oratorio. That must be kept in mind at all times. I can understand where you’re coming from, and I can see why you feel the way you do about the tempo, but the older I get, the slower I like the Matthäus-Passion played. It allows one to soak in every harmony, and not race through the piece. Some days, I prefer the opening chorus even slower than this.
@@fooberdooge3103 Although not yet preparing to shuffle off the mortal (still a child and close to my 70th year) I've sung this work a number of times.
I can recall it being sung a few years ago with Sarah Connelly singing the role of the evangelist and it was presented as an operatic drama. And it worked! But that was, perhaps, a bit extreme.
My favourite version at the moment is Phillippe Herrewegge and the Ghent choir and orchestra (1980s version) The pace strikes a good balance: the opening chorus paced slightly slower than Steinitz, but beautifully clear.
Foober Dooge, I am sorry for my inadequate English. The time signature is 12/8, and there is no added Adagio or Largo. After turned 3000 pages from his cantatas, I found a few arias in 12/8 added Largo or Adagio. Therefore we understand that the pace in this movement maybe are closer to the original tempo then you would like to accept.
Charles Daniels is my favorite. Incredibly keen & versatile.
amazing
Gelukkig..... er is nog gezamenlijke muziek en zang 'in voorraad' ! En prachtig tevoorschijn aangehaald in een van de inmiddels gebundelde Geloofsbrieven van een wel zeer empatische ds. Matthy Bijleveld samen met haar man Herke Tichelaar in haar Ter Apel-periode in een ongekende Covid-19-tijd met allerlei beperkingen.
Muito lindo!
Beautiful. No other composer has the capacity to put the willies up me like that.
And who knew Steve Buscemi was an early music specialist?
grazie
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Es ist shön danke für das
Un placer!
Mooie uitvoering!! 🎤🎶🎻
very nice choir
Makes me think they’re using Helium...
I hope to hear you perform Cantata BWV 149 someday? Also a beautiful work to participate in performance
Unless you are born again you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost! As your fathers did so do ye!”
God’s children will overcome this world and will reign victorious with our Lord Jesus forever and ever.
Netherlands Bach Society One of the musicians tuned his Bass in 5ths so that way it would be more in tune.
I feel like waiting for the judgement infront of the door of heaven and hell.
thats because we all are! in the West, at least... spurning the love of God...reaping chaos on Earth, hell in the next life...
O gentle Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!
💗
Bach has provided the soundtrack of heaven. It is no mistake that Bach was chosen to go on the gold disc sent on Voyager into space. One wag had it that they might have also added the Mass in B minor, but that would have been boasting.
A cathedral in music.
Одно из самых красивых произведений, которые я слышал, и ведь это только вступительный хорал!
❤
A boy's choir that small would be nearly inaudible. Ive heard such a performance in a rather large church space; the ripieni sound was so small that it really didnt do justice to the opening chorus.
the first choir of the Passions so accurately expresses the shock and confusion that gripped many souls at the news of a terrible injustice being committed: how, how can this happen?
It’s so painful for me in Ukraine now to see how a cruel enemy is tormenting my Motherland... and this execution is being carried out now, every single day - how, how can this happen?
Wat een heerlijk rustig tempo! Tegenwoordig wordt dit koor zó idioot snel uitgevoerd.
6:16 exquisite
A very gentle and loving interpretation. Some other excellent performances of this movement are more turbulent, but I think this reading is more in keeping with the work overall. I would be surprised if Bach himself ever heard the work performed so perfectly.
I’m sure he would be very pleased indeed
Let's be clear: Bach NEVER EVER EVER left any personal note or indication about speed of execution. Intentionally. That's greateness, right there.
😊💕💕💕💕
Not going to lie: THX1138 brought me here.
If you were to set out all of the other 'Classical' composers hierarchically, from worst (lowest) up to best (highest), within the height of a postage stamp and then casually glance upwards to a height of maybe 47,000 ft, then you might, just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the God Of All Music - JSB.
I note there are a few boy choristers joining the chorus. Are they part of the Netherlands Bach Society or did they perform just for this special program?
Kampen Boys Choir - see for a background documentary czcams.com/video/yvlL-WHXK_w/video.html
O mestre Beethoven, advertiu que, o apogeu da música séria Bach
tres belle version , meme si je prefere karl richter ? la presente version et certainement plus proche de ce bach pouvais diriger . musique que j ecoute depuis 65 ans ! avec toujours le meme plaisir , bach a beaucoup fait pour dieux ! si je ne devais garder qu une seule musique a emporter pour mon dernier voyage , ce seras la passion st matthew : merci a la netherlands bach society : mr pierre-xavier de chassot
Je suis complètement d'accord. La Passion selon l'Évangile de Matthieu est une merveille, aussi que sa Messe en Si Mineur.
1:15 ....
Even an atheist must hail the great Johann Sebastian! Zeus, bless his soul.
wtf are u talking about zeus? lmao
@@alexelfather Because I pray to Zeus every evening and say - Zeus, god of gods, bless atheism!
If you're praying to Zeus, you're not an atheist, you're a pagan.
@@ranthlee The followers of Yhwe are pagans, we Zeusians were there before.
God, bless atheism!
@@ranthlee, that's basically right and wrong at the same time.
Lastima de sonido ...para de una maravillosa interpretación
Bach war das größte Genie, das unser Deutschland hervorgebracht hat! Alleine deshalb bin ich froh, Deutsche zu sein! 😍
10
Bach's music was not well appreciated in his own time and virtually died until Mendelssohn discovered it in the 19th century but it did not really reach its zenith of popularity and appreciation until the 20th century. Bach was unwittingly composing for our times rather than for any earlier era.
Not really. His music was well known by Haydn and Mozart (and even Beethoven) and they studied it. It's just that he accomplished everything that was possible within the "old style" so later musicians focused on trying new stuff. Read about Van Swieten and how he made Bach's music known to some of the other great musicians.
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Czerny, etc. they knew Bach long before Mendelssohn.
@@ruperttmls7985 www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200156436/
It depends on what you mean by "not well appreciated". The criticisms Bach received in Arnstadt for his "curious variations" supports your point, as well as the arguments over how to perform his St John Passion, leading to redactions. Then we have Bach's memorandum to the Leipzig Council over how to perform his music. On the other hand, extent accounts show the admiration with which Bach's music was held among students, connoisseurs, and other composers. As an organist, he no doubt showcased his own works when travelling to inspect organs. Then, as several people above me have pointed out, several composers knew of Bach's works long before Mendelssohn did. In fact, Bach's own son, Carl Philipp Emmanuel, did much to preserve and propagate the legacy of his father in the late 1700s.
I don't think he was looking for vast appreciation, but certainly in the area where he was composing, regionally, people knew of his genius... but I don't believe that he was looking for that
waarom zulke slechte video kwaliteit?
Lovely but I really hate the hesitation they do 2:20 onward. Breaks the momentum of the piece for me
It is a dialogue (question/answer) between two choirs, it can't really be continuous, legato and smooth as it would lose its power and hide the meaning of the text. Breaking the momentum is what it is about and this is why we have two choirs and two orchestras in the first place. To make it striking.
It’s meant to be like that as the two Choirs are talking/singing to each other
it HAS to be sung by boys voices like here, not females. It is the innocence in their voices which makes it perfect. I also like his barely noticeable accelerando of 5:00 "Seht wohin"
Небесная музыка
Chorus is covered up by the orchestra. Too sad. Put the orchestra in the pit and place the fine chorus front and center as done by Minnesota Opera and Dale Warland Singers. Phenomenal words, music and passionate drama years ago.
Is that steve buscemi conducting?
LOL, but not quite: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos_van_Veldhoven
Probably - or his cousin! Suitably sinister.
No. No. It is his father !
1:10
0:49
I've been born Muslim, told to hate music and insturment. But after i heard bach, it changed my mind about Islam completely.
Thumbs down for tempo and the horrendous-pretentious "cute little smiley smiley's as per video director".
Barney, quote: "Thumbs down for tempo....." Please tell us what do you know about the time signature 12/8 compare to other 12/8-compositions by Bach.
@@geiryvindeskeland7208 ooooo some scary academics paradise of knowledge ... ooooo. Well, it feels too fast. bye.
@Fresh of Da Grill I feel this piece needs to be played with more "pesante". I feel that the common practice of putting on fake smiles is corny. I find it offends the intent of the music. I am passionate about the music.
What do you mean by what you have said to me above? Please explain. Thank you.
@Fresh of Da Grill What is a cop's rod?
@Fresh of Da Grill hello???