Bach: Longing for Heaven and Solace for the Soul

In the soprano cantata "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" (BWV 199), the poignant poetry of the Darmstadt court librarian Salomon Franck Lehms and Bach's impressive musical language combine to create a moving journey through guilt, doubt, and the longing for divine grace.

The cantata "Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung duldet" (BWV 57), a dialogue between the faithful soul and the comforting Savior, also composed by Lehms, sensitively traces the path to inner understanding and sincere self-acceptance.

In the delicate instrumentation of these works, Bach unfolds a profoundly moving vision of solace in suffering and the courageous overcoming of death. The programme is complemented by the new bass cantata *‘Willkommen, wertes Heil’*, which is based on arias by Johann Sebastian Bach and has been developed into a dramaturgically coherent work through new recitatives by Anselm Hartinger (libretto) and Rudolf Lutz (music).

With:

• Julia Doyle, soprano
• Matthias Helm, bass
• J. S. Bach Foundation St. Gallen Chamber Ensemble
• Conductor, harpsichord, and presenter: Rudolf Lutz

Works performed:

Bach Cantatas:

• J. S. Bach: BWV 199 "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut"
• J. S. Bach: BWV 57 "Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung duldet"
• and other vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.