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Baroque masterpieces acquire a new sound in the original concert programmes of the Musica Humana ensemble. This time, the ensemble and its soloists will take the audience on a journey through the Baroque era from Köthen to Venice. 

Johann Sebastian Bach’s time in Köthen is considered the most productive period of his life. He lived there for six years (from 1717 to 1723) and composed the majority of his instrumental works, including the Concerto for oboe, violin, strings, and basso continuo in C minor, and the Concerto for harpsichord, two violins, viola, and basso continuo in D minor, which will be performed in this concert. While living in Köthen, Bach served as Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold, where he was not required to compose music for church services. This democratic cultural environment allowed Bach to focus on secular instrumental music and experiment with the concerto genre, one of the most important innovations of the Baroque era.

In the second half of the concert, the audience will travel to Venice, where another renowned master of Baroque instrumental music, Antonio Vivaldi, spent most of his life. 

In the 18th century, Venice was known as a unique cultural hub: a politically independent republic and a city bustling with trade and tourism, where music was not only an art form but also an integral part of cultural identity. In this environment, the composer relied on highly theatrical modes of expression: not only opera but also the concerto and trio sonata genres. 

This concert will feature both early and late works by Vivaldi, revealing the evolution of his style and the maturity of his artistry.