Bach’s St Matthew and St John: a tale of two Passions

At the intersection of mathematics and music, the Festum Pi festival brings together theorists and performers to explore one of humanity’s oldest intellectual duets. We spoke with participant Professor Bertrand Maury, acclaimed mathematician and a concert pianist, about this enduring connection.

From Buxtehude, Bach and Handel, to contemporary composer Liza Lim, we take a tour of the myriad forms of composers’ handwriting and calligraphy – and how music makes itself on the page.

The two newly attributed pieces lay overlooked in manuscript form, until researcher Peter Wollny was able to firmly identify them as being by a 20-year-old JS Bach. 

Choreographer Kim Brandstrup talks about his remarkable collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and a group of professional hip-hop dancers and students from Camden’s Acland Burghley School.

Ahead of a performance at London’s Sinfonia Smith Square, pianist Cristian Sandrin talks about commissioning three new variations from composers Farhad Poupel, Louise Drewett and Philip Dutton, and his aim to create a new view of Bach’s music.