My Arts Festival 2011 begins with magical Bach

Masaaki Suzuki is my Bach expert. Many of the Bach vocal pieces I have listened, are conducted by Suzuki-san. Finally, I ca see him in a live concert and this also began my annual concert going season.

Tonight, the pieces he conducts are cantata by Bach. Apparently, they are written for religious purpose. They were all played before the church service, so that attendants can grasp the outline of the service. The content are story relates to Jesus Christ; his going to the Jerusalem, the joy of believing in God.

The first thing I spot is how strange the sound is. It is the auditorium which project a dull and flat soundscape. But then I am later amazed by our brain that it can work out how the sound should be like and reconstruct accordingly. This also triggered me into thinking, that many of us are spoilt by the stereo system invested.

Bach Collegium Japan played the pieces very cleanly and precise. This is also how Suzuki-san conducts. You can tell how he wants to express, or emphasis through his gesture.

The concert ended with BMV 147 which is a piece very familiar to the audience. Many of us should have heard of the chorale. Everyone is leaving in joy as it is such a nice concert.