Orpheus Baroque Ensemble

Many members of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra are fascinated by Baroque music and interpretations. The Orpheus Baroque Ensemble was formed in 2015 and plays period instruments under the artistic guidance of concertmaster Elin Gabrielsson, violinist and member of the Baroque ensemble Europa Galante. Each concert is led by guests who are top musicians in early music, and here we will meet Italian harpsichordist and conductor Luca Guglielmi.

The programme highlights Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, who was significantly more acclaimed than his father, Johann Sebastian, whose concerto in d minor BWV 1052 is also performed here (the oldest surviving manuscript of this piece was in fact made by Carl Philipp Emanuel).

In his music, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach expressed the aesthetic ideals that were captured in the expression Sturm und Drang – Storm and stress. We will hear how this sounds in his passionate Symphony in E-minor.  With his sudden attacks, masterful eruptions and swift changes, the rapid movements in the cello concerto feel enormously challenging. In contrast, the slow second movement is a wonder of musical beauty.