Collegium Vocale Gent / BTF 2020

Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244

Evangelist: Julian Prégardien

Jesus: Thomas E. Bauer

Featuring: Dorothee Mields, Grace Davidson, Alex Potter, William Shelton, Reinoud Van Mechelen, Hugo Hymas, Peter Kooij, Tobias Berndt – voice

Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe

Collegium Vocale Gent, the world-famous Belgian ensemble that was formed half a century ago, and its founding conductor, Philippe Herreweghe, are best known for the performance of baroque music. It is probably no exaggeration that the sound they represent has had an essential influence on how today’s listeners relate to early music. Many consider their performances of Bach’s two passions exemplary, and since 1985, the ensemble has recorded the St Matthew Passion on multiple occasions. However, rather than abiding by the tried and tested method when preparing for a new performance, Herreweghe and his ensemble keep looking for new inspirations, exploring the possibilities inherent in the given work and waiting to be unfolded. The same spirit of inquiry and versatility led to their recent recordings of works by Liszt, Gesualdo and Stravinsky.

This concert of the Budapest Spring Festival is presented by Müpa Budapest and Liszt Academy.