The Bach Recital 1736

The fact that the Dresden Frauenkirche is one of the most famous sacred edifices in the world is thanks not least to its immense importance for the history of music. At all times, it was a coveted place for outstanding musicians from all over the world, as was the case for Johann Sebastian Bach, who tried out the new Silbermann organ in a concert in 1736. Unfortunately, there are no records of the works that Bach played. When the church was destroyed during the Second World War, this impressive instrument was also lost. However, the new organ from Kern & fils, built for the newly rebuilt church, is in no way inferior to its acoustically stunning predecessor.

Matthias Grünert, the cantor of the Dresden Frauenkirche, set it upon himself to reconstruct Bach's great organ concert from 1736. Using his extensive knowledge of Bach, Dresden and the musical preferences of the 18th century, he has compiled several pieces from the rich fundus of Bach's organ works to create an exciting dramaturgy of what might have actually been heard in the Dresden Frauenkirche 280 years ago.

Frauenkirchenkantor Matthias Grünert