Bach, the Universe & Everything: How to Build an Atmosphere

The evening is built around J.S. Bach’s cantata Ihr werdet weinen und heulen, a work that moves from the sorrow of parting to the joy of a promised reunion. You will hear the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment use period instruments to articulate the specific textures of this piece, notably the distinctive high recorder parts that weave through the opening movement. This central work is contrasted with motets by Richard Dering, an English composer who worked in the early seventeenth century. Dering’s choral writing often bridges the gap between the older polyphonic style and the emerging Italianate trends of his era. By pairing these motets with Bach’s cantata, the performance explores how different liturgical traditions and musical periods sought to create a specific emotional atmosphere for their congregations. You should listen for the way the voices interact with the instrumental lines, creating a dense but transparent sonic tapestry typical of this ensemble’s historically informed approach to Baroque and Renaissance repertoires.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is led by conductor Steven Devine for this performance. This London-based ensemble is celebrated for its commitment to historical performance practice, playing on instruments from the era in which the music was written. They are known for a flexible, musician-led approach that avoids a permanent principal conductor, instead collaborating with specialists like Devine. Based at their residency at Acland Burghley School and frequenting major London stages, the group is regarded for its scholarly yet vibrant interpretations of choral and orchestral works from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

This performance takes place at King’s Place in London and has a total running time of 120 minutes. As an orchestral and choral event focusing on shorter individual works rather than a full-scale symphony, the programme is well-suited if you are interested in exploring early music in an intimate setting. There is no specific dress code required, and the two-hour duration includes the full musical programme. The venue is located in the King’s Cross area, providing a modern acoustic environment for the delicate period instruments used by the ensemble.