The Bachcelona Festival closes with an unusual show
Last July 21, the Foto Colectània Foundation became the stage for the final concert of the Bachcelona Festival, where the works of Johann Sebastian Bach were merged with the projected images in an unprecedented way.
An organization that attracts attention
Despite the musical beauty that the concert offered, the structure of the venue left much to be desired. The arrangement of the attendees was disconcerting. Between the two rows of chairs a gap was formed that was not taken advantage of, while the musicians occupied a position at the end of the space.
The influence of the image on the music
The screen showing visual works by videographer Bruno Delgado interfered with the musical flow. In each intervention, the musicians took a break, breaking the harmony that was created between the cantatas and the projections.
An exceptional vocal performance
Despite the visual interruptions, the musical quality remained very high. The Cantata BWV 150 marked the beginning of the evening and was performed in its entirety. Featured soloists included Maëlys Robinne, Eulàlia Fantova, Matthew Thomson and Noé Chapolard, who combined their voices in exquisite harmony, creating a stunning choral feel.
Voices with presence and emotion
Noé Chapolard stood out with a robust low register, while Robinne and Fantova’s voices intertwine masterfully in ‘Nimm mich mir’ from Cantata BWV 163. Thomson, with his elegant and flexible style, found an ideal accompaniment with Chapolard in the duet ‘Jesus soll mein alles sein’ from Cantata BWV 190.
A musical journey between Bach and Vivaldi
Amid the melodic arias, the Bachcelona Consort shone in the interpretation of two slow movements, transcriptions of Vivaldi concertos, elaborated by Bach. This combination provided a rich listening experience, bringing listeners to the essence of Vivaldi’s Mediterranean world right alongside the intensity of Bach’s Lutheran heritage.
A conclusion that left you wanting more
The evening concluded with a feeling of magnificence, with a small bittersweet flavor due to the short duration of the works performed. Despite the obvious quality of the pieces, attendees were left wanting more, as if the performances had been a foretaste of a much deeper experience.
