Bach - Opening Chorus Kommt, ihr Töchter from St Matthew Passion BWV 244 | Netherlands Bach Society

[@lmergenti]

The most beautiful music I have ever heard. Celestial. When I first heard this 50 years ago, my eyes welled up and my heart expanded. I was simply transported. Never had I heard such heart-wrenching beauty. And still to this day its the same. Divinely inspired. I was in my early 20s living as a homeless vagabond on the streets of Kansas City in the winter time. I wandered into the public library for warmth. I found this music, and for no reason at all played it. It was an old plastic LP recording, and I played it on the library record player using some cheap headphones that they supplied. It changed my life. Weeks later I brought two native American vagabond friends of mine to the library to hear it. They were brothers and had never heard classical music. Bear in mind this was before the internet, and TV had only just begun on the Oklahoma reservation were they were from. But I was not surprised, when one of them began sobbing as the chorus sang. He said "it sounds like angels in heaven"

[@tecaarantes]

What an amazing story; hearing this divine music while I read your account made me see the whole thing in my mind as a transformative, catalistic scene of a movie ! I hope that you have overcome the difficulties of your life and is now living comfortably and able to appreciate music like this with no more worries in life, you deserve it!

[@lmergenti]

@@tecaarantes Thank you for your kind and warm wishes. Yes all is well, having overcome my difficulties, educated myself, got married, had children, and grandchildren. I've been quite blessed and am grateful for my life. i hope all is well with you as well.

[@dst0212]

Schön zu lesen, daß Menschen wie ich Bach lieben. Ich wünsche Ihnen, daß Sie weiterhin in Ihrem Leben Gesund und Zufrieden bleiben. Gott segne Sie und Ihre Familie, liebe Grüße aus Deutschland (Germany)

[@manuelnuman]

This music purifies me internally, it heals my soul, it engages the better part of my nature. I am grateful for JS Bach and for this magnificent performance by the Netherlands Bach Society. Thank you♥

[@rocketsroar1]

Bach doesn't just transport you to another time, he transports you to another planet altogether.

[@lulublasz]

Bach transport you to other Universe

[@SR009s]

There is simply no debate; Bach is the greatest artist to have ever lived. His St. Matthew Passion alone trumps the combined output of almost any composer to exist, and that isn't even counting the other ≥1127 other works.

[@johnmueter378]

We are in the presence of genius. How could any human being write such music??? A magnificent performance, sublime. Thank you, Nederlands Bach Society.

It's truly unbelievable.

[@BLEUDART]

emotional and from a genius indeed....wil we see a bach or rembrand again?

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

There are no words to describe this audible magnificence. It would be like a flea trying to explain quantum mechanics to a jellyfish.

[@Caroline1261]

@UCpw9PUzHSMa-OZ9xTqr3fnA, Indeed, how could a human being write this? It is so beautiful, so magnificent and phenomenal that my whole being is overwhelmed by the beauty and I always cry, it is just too beautiful. And to think that : "After the death of Johann Sebastian Bach, the two Passions - according to Saint John and according to Saint Matthew - fell into oblivion for a century: it was the composer Felix Mendelssohn who unearthed them in 1829." Thank god for Mendelssohn!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

If you were an organist like me, you would be even more amazed. Why? Because while works like the Passions, the Mass, etc. are supreme works of emotional art, his keyboard works are almost diametrically opposed. They are as much science and engineering as art. It's like one man who painted the greatest paintings and statues of all time, but also designed and built the Eiffel Tower, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Probably the only other human being to reach those lofty intellectual heights would have been da Vinci.

[@TheMarcHicks]

I struggle to listen to this without tearing up. Don't know why it cuts me so deeply. Amazing performance, guys!

[@thomasakerberg6765]

Not to be moved by the music is impossible.. Marcus, I hear you!

[@מרתהאלון]

​@@thomasakerberg6765❤

[@Mauccampos]

I listen Bach and, GEEZ, how I wanted to believe in God! That man was a pure genius!

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

If one chooses to believe, they must do so of their own accord. Though I believe in God, I do not believe the same faith as Bach did. Nonetheless, I respect the profound spirituality of his work, and his awe for God as conveyed through music. Wolff has noted that people of multiple faiths and none perceive this in his work.

[@ordjk4797]

Haha I feel the same wayy

[@viktortallone]

O Lamm Gottes unschuldig Am Stamm des Kreuzes geschlachtet, Allzeit erfund’n geduldig, Wiewohl du wärst verachtet. All’ Sünd’ hast du getragen, Sonst müßten wir verzagen. Erbam’ dich unser, o Jesu.❤

[@CatharinaMaria08]

Erbarm’ dich unser, o Jesu, o Jesu.

[@scruffycritter]

The performance seems to come straight from heaven.

[@jani14jani]

While personally Beethoven is the composer whos music hits me at the deepest level, there is no denying that Bach is the greatest musician who has lived on this planet. This piece is a proof of it.

[@joshsussman9432]

I have similar feelings. On a human level, Beethoven is a seer. Bach, however, was the most capable.

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Bach is my favourite composer. Always respect the art of Beethoven, though.

[@violinhunter2]

...and yet,... there was a time when all of Bach's (and Beethoven's) genius was contained in something which was smaller than a grain of sand. The Creator is the One True Genius.

[@sakkijarvenpolkka2090]

Exactly my feelings! Beethoven has always been my favourite (includes also personal reasons), but Bach is something else. Out of this world. I cannot begin to comprehend his genius, St Matthew’s passion speaks to me on another level.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven61]

Same here ;-) Although I love Beethoven and Wagner most I have to admit that you might be true. There is an 8 bit piece on the internet about the opening where every note of this piece is shown in a 3 dimensional grid. There, you can get the impression why Bachs compositions are beyond crazy. It's not only that he managed to make divine sounding music. Every single voice has its own character and he somehow managed to unite everything. A craft what should be almost impossible. Maybe it is and he had help from the heaven

[@HisMastersVideo]

The Netherland Bach Society knows how to perform Bach. Great recording!

[@topologyrob]

I am so grateful to this collection of masterful artists putting so much into playing this incredibly profound music.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven61]

How they really manage to perform this endless complex masterpiece flawlessly is beyond my comprehension.

[@julietaaboka3285]

Netherlands Bach Society and Jos van Veldhoven, listening and watching you play the music of Bach gives me hope for humanity! Thanks for lifting my spirit up❤

[@carlosbashuertas]

And so starts the greatest of all musical compositions of all ages, past and forthcoming...

[@anti425spi]

This piece is the reason that I fell in love with JS Bach. Wonderful performance!

[@markstokmans8835]

There is not much that can beat watching a group of wonderful musicians playing and singing this opening choir, what I think is the most majestic piece of music in the history of mankind. Only thing that can possibly beat it, is singing in the choir itself, which I have been blessed to have been able to do many times. Much more amateur level, but my god, singing that music with all those people together, moving on and breathing the same notes...no words for that experience. Only drawback is you can't let your tears go on stage, while watching this, no problem!

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Conductor John Nelson still remembers his own amateur performance of "Christ Lag in Todesbanden". He said "the music is the music." Even when I was struggling through Bach fugues, my clumsy playing could not disguise the genius of these pieces.

[@SlatVelg]

Have been two years on Good Friday to the St Matthew’s Passion performed by the Netherlands Bach Society in the Grote Kerk in Naarden. Had to order tickets at least half a year in advance, but it is so worth it. This video brings back those memories. Unforgettable. A must do for every Bach and St Matthew’s Passion lover.

[@attilakovacs5803]

Thank you! This has definitely brought relief to a restless soul in a sleepless night.❤️🎼🎵🎶

[@johannesklug8006]

I love the deep connection of the Dutch with Bach.

[@chuck1prillaman]

This piece always brings tears of awe streaming down my cheeks.

[@themusicofwferdinand]

Soli Deo gloria!

[@odettefrancois6566]

Bach es el padre de la música, sus obras sublimes llegan al alma, saludos desde Chile 🎼🎶❤

[@guylebras9880]

Dès les premières notes, ont sent qu'on est en présence d'un monument de la musique et de la spiritualité chrétienne. Cette oeuvre est belle et tragique. Tragique car elle manifeste l'incompréhension du chrétien face au sort réservé au Christ. Elle est belle car elle va chercher au plus profond de nous même les ressorts de l'empathie de l'homme pour celui qui a donné sa vie pour sauver l'humanité. L'interprétation de la Société Bach Néerlandaise laisse sans voix tellement elle émeut. Merci à tous les interprètes et à Paul Van Veldhoven d'avoir osé un tempo mesuré qui nous laisse le temps de participer à cette célébration comme si nous y étions...

[@pierre-xavierchassot3183]

daccord avec vous , cet tres beaux !le tempo un peut lent ne nuit pas a l oeuvre ,mais je prefere la version de michel corboz qui pour mois et la meilleure . j avais amener en cadeaux la passion st mathieux a mes amis hazaris dans le nord de l afganistant et l ecoute de ce chef d euvre a provoquer une hilariter innextinguible ! et generale ,comme quoi la musique n et pas un langage universel npour tous ! pierre-xavier

[@musicaa11-m2f]

So beautiful, one of the sublimest opus by Bach.

[@siamakanbarani4977]

This part of the passion, I really believe , is located at the top of the highest picks of music. Something extraordinary exists in it.

[@steveg5453]

The whole piece is a heartrendingly beautiful miracle, but the final crescendo (7:08 onwards) literally brings tears to my eyes almost every time. Am I alone to be so moved by such sublime music?

[@felixfourcolor]

the special passage for me starts at 6:15

[@manubet100]

No. I feel the same is a wonderful piece of music and art.

[@MaggieKrenek]

Bach truly is the fifth disciple.

[@RJLKMRD]

Saint Matthew's Passion in my opinion is the greatest piece of classical music ever written

[@inchoiringmind1]

It's the greatest work of art in the history of mankind, but it's not hyperbole. 1:22

[@WilliamWakefield-tt5zn]

Simply wonderful!

[@viertouchdownsineinemspiel]

Wunderschön❤❤❤ Habe es bereits als Kind gerne gehört und einiges auf dem Klavier gelernt.

[@jeanroux7292]

Thanks you Netherlands Bach Society for this moment

[@olivierframent3912]

Bravo ! Quelle merveille. Merci, merci

[@Tiago-ss5pk]

Gloria in excelsis deo!!!

[@flemmingranch8777]

Rigtig smuk sang af koret, små som store, samt en skøn musik......

[@steveg5453]

Sublime. Just sublime.

[@Nacidodelmar]

NADA SUPERA A BACH! My allegory for him is the Titan Prometheus, he came to Earth to give us fire, to make us aware of the soul and illuminate them.

[@manuelnuman]

Wonderful words, Nacida del Mar. Estoy contigo. Thank you for your input♥

[@Nacidodelmar]

@@manuelnuman Gracias a ti!

[@Steinbach1984]

Hi, Bach did not take his music out of the blue. There was a whole world of great music before 1700. Go out and explore it!

[@MiskoKatua]

@@Steinbach1984 Yes, we KNOW that, smart ass! :-D But still 'Nothing compares to J.S. Bach'! That's what Nacidodelmar wanted to express...

[@Primus_suspectus]

Best performance ever

[@pacovindi1431]

Ezquisita interpretacion de esta pasion.

[@carmenpdl8918]

Listening to wonderful music like this, it is impossible not to believe in God! Many thanks to the Bach Music Society of the Netherlands who uploaded this wonder on their KZbin channel, allowing us to enjoy it for free. 👏👏👏👏👏🏆🥇

[@SlatVelg]

The St. Matthew’s Passion is traditionally performed all over the Netherlands on Good Friday.

[@НатальяЧеркасова-г8ъ]

Красота музыки восхищает и даёт наслаждение. А сочетание человечности и духовности не перестаёт удивлять - раз за разом. У NBS очень красивые видео. Исполнение на высшем уровне. Оформление - тоже. Применение современных технологий создаёт безупречность во всём. Спасибо!

[@山田みどり-g8j]

How beautiful tenor parts are!

[@obuadhachain]

8:02 - Oh - That was just Exquisite - Stopped my day. Just Halted it. Thank you Jesus for our beautiful brother, Johann Sebastian Bach.

[@franciscoe.novalessalinas4981]

Espléndido Bellísimo Angelical. GRACIAS MAESTROS DESDE MÉXICO

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Great performance! My second favourite after Maestro Klemperers slow tempi epic. Awesome work people 👏🏻.

[@SlatVelg]

I also like the one by Karl Richter and his Munich Bach Orchestra.

[@angelicaaraujo1164]

¡¡¡¡ Hermosa música bella , bella 😢

[@JoseRenteria-v9k]

Maravilloso, lo mejor

[@anitramklar5722]

iDe verdad! Saludos desde Alemania. 🤗

[@Sandrah326]

Maravilhoso! Parabéns, coral!👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤❤🇧🇷

[@lakkfatt2321]

6:38 and the following bars: UNBELIEVABLE , A MIRACLE

[@linda_ysanne1550]

Lovely performance. Although written for double choir and ripieno these are most likely the forces deployed and good to hear. I love the strings playing no vibrato and a theorbo. Saved to listen to again. And again... probably!

[@teletubetodd]

Wonderful! I sang in the children's chorus of this piece with fellow fifth and sixth graders from the Advent School in Boston in a concert given by the choir of the Church of the Advent, and a professional LP recording was made of it. Though our singing was off-key and nasal compared to these boys, it was a very memorable musical experience. Bravo to the Netherlands Bach Society!

[@linda_ysanne1550]

And full marks to the boys here who are performing without copies!

[@MaggieKrenek]

Adore.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven61]

6:16 this! Bach gave everything for this

[@goletra]

Choral prelude par excellence

[@JardinsVerts]

Charles Daniels is my favorite. Incredibly keen & versatile.

[@Pianonote78]

Unless you are born again you will not inherit the kingdom of God. “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost! As your fathers did so do ye!” God’s children will overcome this world and will reign victorious with our Lord Jesus forever and ever.

[@PMS1950]

I love this choir: the superb chorus and orchestral playing - but why such a steady, almost sluggish speed for the opening chorus? The drama has begun, this enormous, world changing event is upon us, but the orchestra, with steady, hesitant steps almost reluctantly opens this massive work. I can clearly recall hearing Paul Steinitz and his orchestra and chorus performing this masterpiece in Chichester Cathedral in 1981. From the opening bars we were instantly drawn into the action. The speed wasn't rushed, but moved with a momentum and urgency, which seem to say, 'this is it, the moment has arrived and we're about to take part in a happening, a real drama, which will leave us emotionally drained' In less musical terms, I believe the chorus should begin with a bang and not a whimper! The sound is still magnificent.b

[@fooberdooge3103]

Slower tempi is better, especially for religious works. This is a heavy story, and the slower tempo is almost indicative of Christ slowly carrying His cross up the hill of Calvary. The opening chorus isn't a dance, as so many mischaracterize, but more likened to sobbing and weeping; slow and melancholic, as the libretto says, "Come and mourn with me, ye daughters". I think the tempo is fabulous.

[@PMS1950]

@@fooberdooge3103 Sorry. Can't agree. It's certainly a narrative and should reflect the solemnity and enormity of the event, but as witnesses to the passion, it's a drama and needs to move with a certainty and strong sense of inevitability. I agree that a steady, reverent pace adds the necessary gravitas and respect for the Christian listener (as no doubt, Bach intended) but for my secular ear, I need to dragged into the drama 🎭 minus the emotional baggage.

[@fooberdooge3103]

Philip Savins This is no opera. It is a passion oratorio. That must be kept in mind at all times. I can understand where you’re coming from, and I can see why you feel the way you do about the tempo, but the older I get, the slower I like the Matthäus-Passion played. It allows one to soak in every harmony, and not race through the piece. Some days, I prefer the opening chorus even slower than this.

[@PMS1950]

@@fooberdooge3103 Although not yet preparing to shuffle off the mortal (still a child and close to my 70th year) I've sung this work a number of times. I can recall it being sung a few years ago with Sarah Connelly singing the role of the evangelist and it was presented as an operatic drama. And it worked! But that was, perhaps, a bit extreme. My favourite version at the moment is Phillippe Herrewegge and the Ghent choir and orchestra (1980s version) The pace strikes a good balance: the opening chorus paced slightly slower than Steinitz, but beautifully clear.

[@geiryvindeskeland7208]

Foober Dooge, I am sorry for my inadequate English. The time signature is 12/8, and there is no added Adagio or Largo. After turned 3000 pages from his cantatas, I found a few arias in 12/8 added Largo or Adagio. Therefore we understand that the pace in this movement maybe are closer to the original tempo then you would like to accept.

[@thomasbaete5255]

Een werk voor 5 vlaamse sopranen, koor en orkest 🙂 Bravissime Griet, Lore, Sarah, Hilde en Annelies!

[@Puercultura]

I hope to hear you perform Cantata BWV 149 someday? Also a beautiful work to participate in performance

[@mohammadmostafaii7535]

Excellent performance! Really enjoyed it.

[@jjaa5424]

Parfait!!

[@charupon1]

Two music changed me into a Bach freak 50 years ago. One was this song played by Karl Richter & Munich Bach Orchestra, etc. The other was Chaconne from violin partita No. 2 played by Andres Segovia with his guitar.

[@Kaybeest]

Wonderful performance!

[@shorivitor]

Massive Thank You.

[@hermaweerstra6656]

Gelukkig..... er is nog gezamenlijke muziek en zang 'in voorraad' ! En prachtig tevoorschijn aangehaald in een van de inmiddels gebundelde Geloofsbrieven van een wel zeer empatische ds. Matthy Bijleveld samen met haar man Herke Tichelaar in haar Ter Apel-periode in een ongekende Covid-19-tijd met allerlei beperkingen.

[@giangi1957]

quando avevo sette anni, sessanta anni fa, io e mio fratello piccolo, la domenica mattina, eravamo svegliati da questa musica che mio padre ascoltava

[@markfortuin7111]

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

[@idoelyashar2517]

very nice choir

[@kensumi5135]

Makes me think they’re using Helium...

[@azerall0]

Divine...

[@리유-o1x]

I feel like waiting for the judgement infront of the door of heaven and hell.

[@liseernie]

thats because we all are! in the West, at least... spurning the love of God...reaping chaos on Earth, hell in the next life...

[@Jason-uq2hw]

O gentle Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!

[@andymilborrow2673]

Beautiful. No other composer has the capacity to put the willies up me like that. And who knew Steve Buscemi was an early music specialist?

[@Peter-m3q3f]

2:00 Beautiful 😢

[@winternow2242]

Not going to lie: THX1138 brought me here.

[@Straycathollow]

Es ist shön danke für das

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Netherlands Bach Society One of the musicians tuned his Bass in 5ths so that way it would be more in tune.

[@alexboyd554]

amazing

[@сергей-э9и4щ]

the first choir of the Passions so accurately expresses the shock and confusion that gripped many souls at the news of a terrible injustice being committed: how, how can this happen? It’s so painful for me in Ukraine now to see how a cruel enemy is tormenting my Motherland... and this execution is being carried out now, every single day - how, how can this happen?

[@francescaemc2]

grazie

[@cstiska]

Un placer!

[@Thauãsantana]

Muito lindo!

[@brumels1570]

A boy's choir that small would be nearly inaudible. Ive heard such a performance in a rather large church space; the ripieni sound was so small that it really didnt do justice to the opening chorus.

[@sergioazevedo7390]

A cathedral in music.

[@ИльяОкулов]

Одно из самых красивых произведений, которые я слышал, и ведь это только вступительный хорал!

[@rjuttemeijer]

Wat een heerlijk rustig tempo! Tegenwoordig wordt dit koor zó idioot snel uitgevoerd.

[@thomasmurray3920]

Bach has provided the soundtrack of heaven. It is no mistake that Bach was chosen to go on the gold disc sent on Voyager into space. One wag had it that they might have also added the Mass in B minor, but that would have been boasting.

[@123-v4f4x]

6:16 exquisite

[@PeterRoos]

this is fucking awesome.

[@anitramklar5722]

Bach war das größte Genie, das unser Deutschland hervorgebracht hat! Alleine deshalb bin ich froh, Deutsche zu sein! 😍

[@cndicke1]

Mooie uitvoering!! 🎤🎶🎻

[@OldPost661]

A very gentle and loving interpretation. Some other excellent performances of this movement are more turbulent, but I think this reading is more in keeping with the work overall. I would be surprised if Bach himself ever heard the work performed so perfectly.

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

I’m sure he would be very pleased indeed

[@Lippaization]

Let's be clear: Bach NEVER EVER EVER left any personal note or indication about speed of execution. Intentionally. That's greateness, right there.

[@orestestavares2526]

O mestre Beethoven, advertiu que, o apogeu da música séria Bach

[@berlinmarc6358]

Quoi de plus beau ?

[@dcytol]

If you were to set out all of the other 'Classical' composers hierarchically, from worst (lowest) up to best (highest), within the height of a postage stamp and then casually glance upwards to a height of maybe 47,000 ft, then you might, just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the God Of All Music - JSB.

[@kingpiccolo1nzl]

💗

[@oscarlopezsoler5239]

Lastima de sonido ...para de una maravillosa interpretación

[@pierre-xavierchassot3183]

tres belle version , meme si je prefere karl richter ? la presente version et certainement plus proche de ce bach pouvais diriger . musique que j ecoute depuis 65 ans ! avec toujours le meme plaisir , bach a beaucoup fait pour dieux ! si je ne devais garder qu une seule musique a emporter pour mon dernier voyage , ce seras la passion st matthew : merci a la netherlands bach society : mr pierre-xavier de chassot

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Je suis complètement d'accord. La Passion selon l'Évangile de Matthieu est une merveille, aussi que sa Messe en Si Mineur.

[@hinlee4610]

I note there are a few boy choristers joining the chorus. Are they part of the Netherlands Bach Society or did they perform just for this special program?

[@Samplesurfer]

Kampen Boys Choir - see for a background documentary kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6fPfWCNfb1-ldk

[@karolw.5208]

Even an atheist must hail the great Johann Sebastian! Zeus, bless his soul.

[@alexelfather]

wtf are u talking about zeus? lmao

[@karolw.5208]

@@alexelfather Because I pray to Zeus every evening and say - Zeus, god of gods, bless atheism!

[@ranthlee]

If you're praying to Zeus, you're not an atheist, you're a pagan.

[@karolw.5208]

@@ranthlee The followers of Yhwe are pagans, we Zeusians were there before. God, bless atheism!

[@tobiasstudtheol]

@@ranthlee, that's basically right and wrong at the same time.

[@violinhunter2]

1:15 ....

[@flywright1063]

What is that lute?

[@bach]

A theorbo, which is part of the lute family. It serves as one of the continuo instruments in the MP chorus, together with organ and harpsichord.