Oster-Oratorium

Easter oratorio

No Easter without the St Matthew or St John Passion, with its emphasis on the suffering and death of Christ. In Bach’s time, Easter Sunday was reserved for more joyous notes. That’s why, besides his passions, Bach wrote an Easter oratorio in Italian style without chorales and evangelist. 

Young, passionate baroque musicians

Maarten Engeltjes, a few years ago ‘Zielsverwant’ (kindred spirit) of the Muziekgebouw, is making waves with his baroque ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam. Since 2017, young, passionate baroque musicians have been performing wonderful programmes that fit into the tradition yet introduce something new. As such, the Easter Oratorio, rarely performed in the Netherlands, and the Easter cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden fit into the ancient Easter tradition from the time of Bach.