James Gilchrist and Florilegium explore Bach

By Jack Johnson, 05 November 2014

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 3 November 2014

Bach, Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn - Cantata, BWV152 (Concerto from Cantata)

Buxtehude, Quemadmodum desiderat cervus, BuxWV 92

Zelenka, Laudate pueri, ZWV82

Telemann, Concerto in A minor for recorder, two violins, and continuo

Zelenka, Concerto a 8 Concertanti in G major, ZWV186

Buxtehude, Toccata in G major BuxWV165

Bach, Ich armer Mensch, ich Suendenknecht - Cantata, BWV55

Florilegium

James Gilchrist, Tenor

Florilegium unwrap Bach at Kings Place

Edward Whitney, 30th December

Seasonal concert programmes come in all shapes and sizes. Reflecting the many sides of Christmas, they range from the commercial to the spiritual, from bombastic celebrity endorsement to the simplicity of choristers by candlelight.

****1

Flamboyant Christmas Oratorio from Stephen Layton and the OAE

Patrick Maxwell, 22nd December

A star-studded group of soloists and a wonderful choir make for an interesting, if not always convincing, interpretation of Bach's joyous oratorio.

***11

The devil is in the detail: Stephen Layton’s Hallé Messiah

Leighton Jones, 9th December

The Hallé orchestra and choir pack out Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall for a Messiah which both delights and disappoints.

***11

Lively Israel in Egypt from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

David Smythe, 1st December

Handel's chorus-heavy oratorio fielded a dream team of distinguished soloists.

****1

Potent sea, cruel mob: Peter Grimes at The Royal Opera

David Karlin, 17th March

Deborah Warner's intelligent new Covent Garden staging provides the perfect backdrop for a strong singing cast in Britten's maritime masterpiece.

****1

The martyrs and the oppressed: Peter Grimes at Teatro Real Madrid

Juan José Freijo, 19th April

The new production of Peter Grimes stands out as the strongest item in Teatro Real's season, with magnificent staging by Deborah Warner and superb musical direction by Ivor Bolton, with outstanding vocal and dramatic performances.

*****

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Jack Johnson

After completing a postgraduate degree in Music at King's College London in 2013, Jack now works in development for an arts charity based in London. Aside from regularly attending concerts, he plays piano and clarinet and enjoys singing with several choirs. Particularly passions include Bach, Prokofiev and the neglected choral works of Hummel

James Gilchrist and Florilegium explore Bach and his influences