Bach was an absolute genius: during his first three years as kapellmeister in Leipzig, he wrote 150 cantatas, basically one cantata every week to be sung in church. It is difficult to comprehend such a prodigious creator. He wrote other music, too, that wasn't necessarily for church use: wedding and funeral masses, etudes and dances for his kids and the Thomanerchor, the passions, and the cantatas that were really little operas, such as the coffee cantata. The depth and range of emotions he evokes in these different forms of music is huge. I think most of you reading this recognize his genius. 

The retreat will be focused on the cantatas performed at the February 23, 2024 concert, led by Hermann Max conducting the Rheinische Kantorei. The music to be discussed, sung and then discussed again will be BWV 73 (Herr, wie du willt, so schick's mit mir), BWV 81 (Jesus schlaeft, was soll ich hoffen), BWV 144 (Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin) BWV 81 (Erfreute Zeit im neunen Bunde) and BWV 181 (Leichtgesinnte Flattergeister). Our discussions will be led by Miguel Rodé and Michael Maul. We hope also to include one or two of the performers. 

Our retreat will begin on the evening of February 20 (giving you time to rest after arriving in Leipzig), when we will have dinner, a meet and greet, and then have an overview of Bach and his cantatas. The next two days, on February 21 and 22, we will meet again each day to discuss two of the cantatas to be sung on the 23rd. (The order of discussion has not yet been established). On the 23rd, Miguel will lead a discussion of the remaining cantata. Then, on this evening, we will listen intently to the performance in the Sankt Nikolai Kirche. The following day we will hold a debriefing discussion to assess expectations versus reality!