“There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.”
This quote is attributed to J.S. Bach, though no set of pieces puts this logic to the test quite like his own Brandenburg Concertos.
Written between 1708 and 1721, the Brandenburg Concertos are a unique collection of concerti grossi by Bach which demonstrate the range of his imagination as a composer. Each is a gift to the instruments in the spotlight; virtuosic, exciting and endlessly fun to play. The set of six pieces, dedicated to the Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt in the hope of securing employment, may never have been heard in Bach’s day and there is no record of them even being acknowledged by the Margrave. Happily for us today they are now considered to be a cornerstone of the Baroque period, performed and enjoyed widely around the world.
‘Behind the Brandenburgs’ takes you into the worlds of Brandenburg Concerto No.3 and Brandenburg Concerto No.5, with Artistic Director Peter Whelan and the musicians of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, with performances of selected movements from each work capturing the music in all its vibrancy.
“These concertos are some of the most colourful and groundbreaking orchestral works of their
day, with each of the six appealing to different listeners. They have a personal significance for me, I remember begging my father to buy me the Brandenburgs score in McCullough Piggots music shop, and later, they were the first CD I ever bought.” Peter Whelan