March 27 - 30, 2025, Megève
Classical music event Megève - Classiciquicime concert
Prelude to the Night, Bach
Friday March 28, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.
Orchestra Les Ambassadeurs ~ La Grande Écurie under the direction of Stefano Rossi
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Megève
From 16.00€
On the program of Prelude to the Night, Bach:
Cantatas for a mysterious flautist
Cantata BWV 113 Herr Jesu Christ, from the Höchstes Gut
Cantata BWV 78 Jesu, der du meine Seele
Cantata BWV 180 Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele
Between August and November 1724, Bach was able to count on the presence of a truly exceptional flautist, whose identity remains a mystery. During these four months, the composer wrote for him particularly virtuoso parts, of a technical difficulty and depth of inspiration never equaled, within a cycle of twelve cantatas. One might like to believe that it was Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin, the famous French flautist stationed in Dresden. In any case, the musician who stayed in Leipzig from August to November 1724 inspired Bach to write unique pieces for the transverse flute, exceptional in their technical and musical ambition. The orchestra continues the cycle begun in 2023 with three gems in which the transverse flute takes pride of place. It will be the source of consolation and joy in a cantata BWV 113 otherwise full of affliction. From cantata BWV 78, the listener will remember as much the powerful chaconne of the opening chorus evoking the martyrdom of Jesus, as the irresistible and impulsive soprano and alto duet. Cantata BWV 180 adorns the end of the concert with glorious and radiant hues, inviting the soul to leave the dark throes of sin to join the Lord in the brilliant light.
The artists of Prelude to the Night, Bach
The Ambassadors Orchestra ~ The Great Stables
under the direction of Stefano Rossi
The orchestra Les Ambassadeurs ~ La Grande Écurie embodies the meeting of two exceptional musical ensembles, uniting the prestigious heritage of La Grande Écurie and La Chambre du Roy, founded in 1966 by Jean-Claude Malgoire, with the innovative and passionate drive of Les Ambassadeurs, an ensemble created in 2012 by Alexis Kossenko. This artistic marriage is a true meeting of pioneering minds, deeply attached to the authentic rediscovery of music, guided by a rigorous approach that respects historical contexts.
Jean-Claude Malgoire revolutionized musical interpretation by reintroducing period instruments, shedding new light on six centuries of repertoire, from Machaut to Debussy. This unique approach inspired a generation of musicians to rediscover works of the past from a historical perspective that often went against the grain of dominant practices. The orchestra continues Malgoire's legacy with historical rigor and great expressiveness, particularly in the French Baroque repertoire.
Their repertoire performed on period instruments reflects this quest for authenticity. Whether revisiting rare, sometimes forgotten or abandoned versions, such as Zoroastre – 1749, the original version of Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony or the meticulous reconstruction of Lully's Atys, each project is an opportunity to explore little-known facets of musical history, and as many testimonies of this desire to constantly renew the creative and sonic approach.
Their artistic project is guided by common threads that structure their repertoire: Bach's Cantatas and Passions; French Baroque opera with a focus on Rameau; the repertoire of the Dresden Orchestra; as well as the symphonic work of Mendelssohn.
Since 2021, the ensemble has performed on the biggest European stages and festivals, notably at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the Opéra-Comique and the Utrecht Festival. Its regularly award-winning discography bears witness to its artistic commitment. Proud of its roots in Hauts-de-France, the orchestra remains attached to its region, performing regularly in Tourcoing and beyond, while making its music accessible to all audiences, in and outside performance halls.