Himmelssehnsucht und Seelentrost – Solo- und Dialogkantaten von J. S. Bach

In the organizer's words:

J. S. Bach: BWV 199 "My heart swims in blood" (1714)

J. S. Bach: BWV 57 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation" (1725)

J. S. Bach/Rudolf Lutz: "Willkommen, wertes Heil" (1724/1731/2026), German premiere

Julia Doyle, Soprano
Matthias Helm, bass
Chamber ensemble of the J. S. Bach Foundation St. Gallen
Conductor, harpsichord and moderator: Rudolf Lutz

The J. S. Bach Foundation St. Gallen, winner of the Bach Medal 2026, performs for the first time in Berlin Cathedral under the direction of internationally acclaimed musician Rudolf Lutz. The concert is part of a tour with further stops in Vienna and Zurich.

Johann Sebastian Bach's expressive solo and dialog cantatas are among the highlights of his church music oeuvre. The finely orchestrated works on the tour program, set to texts by the Darmstadt court librarian Georg Christian Lehms, revolve around consolation and hope in the midst of suffering and inner trials. The soprano cantata "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" BWV 199 is a touching journey through the human emotional world, characterized by suffering from one's own imperfection and the search for a merciful God. The cantata "Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung duldet" BWV 57, a heartfelt conversation between the believing soul and the comforting Savior, also follows the stages of inner knowledge and sincere self-acceptance.

German premiere

The program is complemented by the new bass cantata "Willkommen, wertes Heil", which is based on Johann Sebastian Bach's arias from cantatas BWV 36, 66 and 73. New recitatives by librettist Anselm Hartinger and composer Rudolf Lutz combine the arias to create a coherent dramatic arc based on the biblical figure of Blessed Simeon and the readings for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. Based on Bach's parody technique, the result is a work that continues Bach's spirit in a lively way and enriches his rare bass solo cantatas with a beautiful-sounding and profound contemporary contribution.

Highest recognition in the anniversary year
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the J. S. Bach Foundation, which is dedicated to the performance and recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's complete vocal works and makes its recordings available online free of charge. With the award of the Bach Medal of the City of Leipzig , the foundation receives outstanding recognition for its sustainable and pioneering educational work in its anniversary year. This is the first time that this traditional award has been presented to an institution and the first time it has gone to Switzerland.

Price information:

50% discount for children, trainees and students as well as people with a social ticket when purchasing tickets exclusively at Berlin Cathedral