Johann Sebastian Bach: The Cantor of St.Thomas’s

“Too operatic and too long!” – one opinion of Bach’s music, on his appointment to his last, longest and most famous post as Cantor of Leipzig’s Thomasschule. Brian Cox portrays Bach (1685-1750) in a film based on the records of his employers, the City Council – the story of his fight to defend position, status and, above all else, his music. Performances, in authentic style, are directed by Sir Roger Norrington.

The music content of the film includes excerpts from: The Art of Fugue, the St. Matthew Passion, Fugue in C Minor for Organ, Cantatas No. 131, 71 and 123, Passacaglia in C Minor for Organ, Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord in E Minor, Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, Invention for Harpsichord No. 5 in E Flat, Sonata No. 1, the St. John Passion, The Wedding Cantata, Mass in B Minor and The Musical Offering.

Norrington conducts Haydn: “Paris” Symphonies Nos. 82 & 86

Joseph Haydn never visited Paris, but when he received a commission from an influential concert society in the French capital, his imagination caught fire. The result – his six “Paris” symphonies – might be the first masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire to achieve global popularity, and even today, their mixture of novelty, inspiration and sheer creative verve is little short of irresistible. In this performance from the Mozarteum, Salzburg, period-performance pioneer Sir Roger Norrington is in his element – bringing his characteristic blend of scholarly expertise and irrepressible exuberance to the magnificent Symphony No. 86 and the brilliant No. 82 – nicknamed “The Bear”.