April 2, 2021 - Virtual Concert Series Newsletter

On this solemn day of Good Friday we first hear Bach’s Prelude (Toccata) and Fugue in E major, BWV 566, played by Nathan Laube on the Rudolf von Beckerath organ in the Catholic cathedral in Pittsburg. Next come four selections from Book II of Bach’s WTC (Well-Tempered Clavier), the Preludes and Fugues in F-sharp major, F-sharp minor, G major, and G minor, performed by the BSQ as arranged for string quartet by Nicholas Kitchen. We close with the opening chorus of Bach’s St. John Passion performed by the Netherlands Bach Society under the direction of Jos van Veldhoven. Part of the Society’s All of Bach series, this performance uses original instruments and singers who are all under 35 years old. The sound produced by these young singers is quite overwhelming. Bach composed his passions specifically for use on Good Friday.