Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr Director / Keyboards
Iestyn Davies Countertenor

Telemann Ouverture TWV 55 B5 'Les Nations'
Bach Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust BWV 170
Bach Geist und Seele wird verwirret BWV 35

Iestyn Davies joins legendary British period-performance ensemble the Academy of Ancient Music for the second of two International Festival concerts celebrating the solo countertenor cantatas by Bach. Almost miniature sacred dramas, Bach’s absorbing cantatas are both deeply spiritual and full of drama and sparkling wit.

Davies and the Academy under flamboyant Music Director Richard Egarr contrast the exquisitely poetic Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust, a touching meditation on Christ’s death, with the infectious joyfulness of Geist und Seele wird verwirret and its celebrations of the might of God.

Ensemble and conductor open the concert with Telemann’s humorous travels through Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia and beyond in his captivating ‘Les Nations’ Ouverture.

This concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.