It was the autumn of 1705. A young 20 year old Bach began a journey on foot of almost 400 kilometres from Arnstadt in the heart of Germany, to Lübeck near the Baltic coast. Who would undertake such a gruelling expedition? Only one such as J.S. Bach, whose desire to study the art and craft of the famous organist Dietrich Buxtehude, drove him to complete a journey most would baulk at – such was his desire to learn from his idol and better himself as a musician. Buxtehude’s music proved to be a beacon of inspiration for Bach, changing the course of music forever. Featuring three of Australia’s finest musicians - organist Marko Sever, Baritone Andrew O’Connor and Countertenor Russell Harcourt, we chart the journey to Lübeck through music of the great masters Bach took with him, ending with Bach’s Cantata BWV 170 which so perfectly encapsulates the results of such inspiration on the mind of a genius.

PROGRAM

Johann Christoph Bach Chorale zum praeludium ’Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’
Marko Sever

Pachelbel Musicaliche Ergöztung Suite in C major

Pachelbel Chaconne in F minor for organ P.43
Marko Sever

Nicholas Bruhns ‘Der Herr hat seinen Stuhl im Himmel bereitet’
Andrew O’Connor

Georg Böhm – Chorale Prelude ‘Christ lag in Todesbanden’
Marko Sever

J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552
Marko Sever

Buxtehude Toccata in F major BuxWV 156
Marko Sever

J.S. Bach Cantata ‘Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust’ BWV 170
Russell Harcourt