No 159 Bach’s Engram

Variations on the memory

J. S. Bach: Präludium Es-Dur, BWV 552/1 • L. Marconi: The Brain • J. S. Bach: Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669 • G. Castelli: Ear-Worm • L. Marconi: Trauma • G. Castelli: Amnesia • J. S. Bach: Dies sind die heiligen zehen Gebot, BWV 678

and further works

Artists: Sjaella: Viola Blache (soprano), Marie Fenske (soprano), Franziska Eberhardt (soprano), Marie Charlotte Seidel (mezzo soprano), Luisa Klose (alto), Helene Erben (alto) • Lucas Pohle (organ)

The six-strong Leipzig-based female ensemble Sjaella is one of the most prominent a-cappella ensembles of our time. Their appeal lies not only in their enthralling vocals but also in their innovative concert formats. One such programme, entitled »Bach’s Engram«, combines the hymns and organ pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach’s »Clavierübung Part III« with contemporary chorale arrangements by Laura Marconi and Gianluca Castelli. These two Italian composers use the memory traces of the human brain (»engrams«) as the basis for their work. They play with elements of sound which, consciously and subconsciously, are reminiscent of Bach.