New Year’s Concert

Concert programme

Arcangelo Corelli – Concerto grosso op. 6 nr 8 Bożonarodzeniowy

Johann Sebastian Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068

Johann Sebastian Bach – Cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51

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Jean-Baptiste Lully – Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs

Jean-Baptiste Lully – Ballet de la nuit – Overture

Georg Friedrich Händel – Cantata Tra le fiamme, HWV 170

Georg Friedrich Händel – The Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351

It has become a tradition for renowned opera houses and concert halls to prepare special programmes to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Over the centuries, the greatest composers have ensured that music lovers have plenty to choose from during this exceptional period.

The Concerto grosso op. 6 no. 8, commonly known as the “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli, is one of the most frequently performed works by this prominent composer. It was the result of a commission from Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, who also gave the premiere performance of the piece, originally created to celebrate the Christmas season.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 (BWV 1068) is one of the compositions from the Baroque period that not only defines the form of the orchestral suite but is also one of the most outstanding works of its time. It is notable that Bach himself wrote only the parts for the violins and continuo (manuscript from 1730); the trumpet, oboe and timpani parts were added by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Johann Sebastian’s son), while the second violin and viola parts were written by Master’s student – Johann Ludwig Krebs.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen (BWV 51) is one of those works that profoundly reflects Bach’s devotion to God. Interestingly, the piece was not assigned to a specific day in the liturgical calendar and became a decoration for et in ogni tempo i.e., as Bach himself wrote – “on the 15^th Sunday after Trinity or at any other time”.

Jean-Baptiste Lully is an undisputed master of phrasing, brilliantly incorporating dance sequences inspired by Italian and French courtly dances within his operatic works. The music of this composer has been present in the Warsaw Chamber Opera’s repertoire for years, and this time you will hear his Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs and the overture from Ballet de la nuit. This overture remains one of the most important works in the history of French ballet and opera, with significance that goes far beyond music, becoming a symbol of the flourishing courtly culture during the reign of Louis XIV.

Georg Friedrich Händel’s Cantata Tra le fiamme (HWV 170) was composed during his time in Italy, where he delved deeply into the Italian operatic and cantata tradition, creating both sacred and secular works. The title Tra le fiamme (In Flames) refers equally to the rays of the sun that melted the wax in Icarus’ wings as well as to the symbolic flames of passion.

The concert will conclude with one of the most famous instrumental works of the Baroque period, which has become one of Handel’s iconic compositions – The Music for the Royal Fireworks (HWV 351).