Bach tanzt

Monika Hosp | soprano
Simon Mayer | dance
Ferhan and Ferzan Önder | piano

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach is unrivalled: extremely complex, yet it goes straight to the heart. Unbelievably comprehensive but never long winded. Full of playful numerical symbolism but also delicate simplicity, and with a profound sense for dance and folk music. Bach’s world is full of rhythm: the sound pulsates even in the slowest movements, the most flowing arias, and the deeply intimate sonatas. This programme brings together instrumental music, singing, and contemporary dance as equal partners – in every conceivable combination, from solo to quartet.

The sisters Ferhan and Ferzan Önder count among the top international piano duos. They have performed extraordinary thematic evenings such as Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” at Imago Dei 2019.

After 25 years as a vocal coach (with the Vienna Boys’ Choir, among others), Monika Hosp now works as a freelance singer with a repertoire ranging from early baroque music to classical modernism and contemporary music. The soprano has a penchant for cross-genre line-ups.

Simon Mayer is a sought-after choreographer, performer, and musician in the international contemporary dance scene. He has worked together with Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and Vivienne Westwood, among others.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), arr. Achilleas Wastor (*1973)

“Heil und Segen soll und muss zu aller Zeit...” from the cantata “Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille” BWV 120

“Erfüllet, ihr himmlischen göttlichen Flammen” from “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 1

“Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen” from “Ich habe genug” BWV 82

Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. György Kurtag (*1926)

Sonatina from “Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit” BWV 106

Allegro moderato, 1st movement from the Trio Sonata in E-flat major, BWV 525

Gustav Nottebohm (1817–1882)

From: “Thema und Variationen über ein Thema von Johann Sebastian Bach”

Robin Holloway (*1943) from “Gilded Goldbergs”