No 22 BachStage
Friday 13th June 20259:00 pm to 11:00 pm
The Arabian Passion
J. S. Bach: Erbarme dich, mein Gott, aus: Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244.2 • J. S. Bach: Mein Jesus schweigt – Geduld, Geduld • J. S. Bach: Können Tränen meiner Wangen, aus: Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244 • J. S. Bach: Von den Stricken meiner Sünden, aus: Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 • J. S. Bach: Es ist vollbracht
and further arias and chorales
Artists:
Ensemble Sarband: Fadia El-Hage (alto) • Abdalhade Deb (voice, oud), Till Martin (saxophone), Hugo Siegmeth (saxophone, bass clarinet), Mohamad Fityan (Ney (flute), kaval), Efstratios Psaradellis (politiki lyra), Angelika Moths (portative organ, harpsichord) • Modern String Quartet: Jörg Widmoser (violin), Winfried Zrenner (violin), Andreas Hoericht (viola), Thomas Wollenweber (violoncello), direction: Vladimir Ivanoff (frame drum, concept and arrangements)
The Arabian Passion is a musical plea for peace. A plea nourished by the confidence which forms the basis of Bach’s Passions: that one day, all suffering will end. Sarband juxtaposes Bach’s Passions with the disastrous present-day situation in Jesus’ native land, the Middle East. Bach’s Baroque precision and complexity meets the spontaneity of classical Arabian music and jazz. Classical Arabic musicians, two jazz saxophonists and the Modern String Quartet reinterpret Bach’s Passion music. Western and Middle Eastern musicians come together in Bach’s music. In a world full of differences and conflicts, this musical cooperation creates an intense, contemplative space for mutual respect and peace.
