Johann Sebastian Bach, which classical musician, professional or amateur, does not want to perform at least one work by Bach? Everyone wants to, and certainly if you have trained as a professional musician and specialized in 'historical music practice'. A small group of eleven younger musicians organized themselves and so "Das neue Bach-Konsortium" came into being.
A true triumvirate, consisting of harpsichordist Arne Van Handenhoven, baritone Tom Van Bogaert and alto Jan Wouters (Golden Label Young Talent 2019) established an ensemble between the lines that would focus on the music of Bach. They saw it (not yet) too large and would limit themselves to the minimalist instrumentation that Bach himself had to make do with far too often, reluctantly. All of this ultimately brought the eleven musicians together and in the course of 2023, when the opportunity arose, they began to work through some Bach together. It clicked and so not only did an ensemble come into being, but they also looked forward to bringing their first concert, a debut concert, somewhere. The partner who was the driving force here was the Bach Festival Antwerpen of Bach in de Stad. The young ensemble enjoyed such confidence that it was able to take on the opening concert of this annual festival right away.
At the Antwerp Dageraadplaats, the Sint-Norbertuskerk filled up to be immersed in an afternoon of mainly lesser-known works by Bach. The concert opened with a somewhat overambitious performance of the motet 'Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden' where, together with the historians, you may doubt whether it is a composition by Bach. The second slow movement of this motet brought more calm and balance to the performance that would serve as a model for the rest of the concert. 'Der Herr denket an uns' is a short cantata that certainly fits into the BWV (Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis) catalog. The performance could convince the audience without reservation. The cantata for alto solo 'Widerstehe doch der Sünde' was possibly the highlight of this debut. Nothing was more convincing than the interpretation by Jan Wouters. We immediately launch an appeal to all managements to offer this singer, one of the very best altos of the moment worldwide (certainly yes!) the opportunities he deserves. A great success with the audience is absolutely assured.
The well-known harpsichord concerto no. 7 is a delightful work, but the harpsichord in service was somewhat small to fill the entire space. Music was made with enthusiasm with much phrasing and color. This, the previous works and the following cantata 'Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee von Himmel fält' led directly to a standing ovation. That's an achievement in itself for a debut concert and proves that this young ensemble can acquire a permanent place in concert life at home and abroad.