Masters and Apprentices
Music from Thuringia
J.P. Kellner – J.C. Kellner – Fasch – J.S. Bach – W.F. Bach
Elina Rantamäki, soprano
Katariina Heikkilä, alto
Martti Anttila, tenor
George Parris, bass
Anthony Marini, violin and leader
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
For the Baroque composer, music was not just a service by the city, the court, and the church, or a cosmic harmony, but a craftsmanship to study diligently. Often the earliest masters of the apprentices were from the same family. At the House of Nobility and the Thüringer Adjuvantentage Festival in Erfurt we hear music by composers from Thuringia in the 18th century.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), the eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), was born in Weimar. The charmingly modern overture in G minor (BWV 1 070) is included in Father Bach’s catalog of works, but apparently it is Friedemann’s work.
Johann Peter Kellner (1705-1772), who had been active in Gräfenroda, could have continued in his father's work. However, the heart of the son of a merchant burned for composing. The copies of Sebastian Bach’s work written by Kellner have been remarkable. The concert features three church cantatas by Peter in collaboration with his son Johann Christoph (1736-1803).
Born in Buttelstedt near Weimar, Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688-1758) gained a reputation for combining styles and varying genres of instrumental music. As a young man, Fasch attended Thomas School under the guidance of Johann Kuhnau, Bach's predecessor, and dreamed of further studies in Italy. In the end, however, the satisfaction was with Darmstadt in Hesse. Fasch’s concerto in C minor includes thematic richness and a preference for wind instruments, a couple oboes and a solo bassoon.
Duration: 1 h 45 min (incl. intermission)
Anthony Marini introduces the concert at the House of Nobility on September 6th from 6–6.30 pm.