Sunday 04 October 2020

Beethoven's cantata Meerestille und glückliche Fahrt (Sea calm and good voyage) from 1815 is inspired by the verse of the German poet and humanist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Beethoven not only dedicated the work to Goethe, but sent him his own copy, without Goethe ever replying. Beethoven's cantata was also a source of inspiration for the child prodigy Mendelssohn, who composed a concert overture of the same name and in the same key.

Christ on the Mount of Olives is Beethoven's rarely performed and only oratorio, is linked to Easter and is about Jesus' pain and inner chaos in the last days before the crucifixion. In addition to Jesus, the other soloists are the Seraphim (angel), as God's messenger, and the apostle Peter. The choir has several roles, such as soldiers, disciples and angels.

Peter Szilvay, conductor

Stephen Higgins, piano

Ellena Hale, piano

Berit Norbakken, soprano (Angel/Seraf)

Brother Magnus Tødenes, tenor (Jesus)

Lucian Onita, baritone (Peter)

Bergen Philharmonic Choir

Håkon Matti Skrede, choir master

Ludwig van Beethoven

Meeresstille und glückliches Fahrt

Ludwig van Beethoven

Christus am Ölberge, oratorio