Orpheus’ Treasure Trove – Music for Lute and Cello

Orpheus Baroque Stockholm is made up primarily of members of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. In less than a decade, the ensemble has become a dynamic and creative meeting point – not only for Philharmonic musicians with expertise in early music, but also for many of Sweden’s leading baroque performers. Artistic directors are Johannes Rostamo, principal cellist of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, and lutenist Jonas Nordberg.

Under the banner Orpheus' Treasure Trove, the ensemble presents itself in a smaller format. In this programme, we meet the two artistic directors themselves – cellist Johannes Rostamo and lutenist Jonas Nordberg – in solo works for lute and cello.

Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750) and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) knew each other and moved in similar musical circles in Germany. They are documented to have met on at least one occasion – and reportedly improvised together. Weiss is renowned for his lute music and was one of the foremost virtuosos of his time. Bach’s fame, of course, is far-reaching, but here the focus is on his solo cello music. The cello is also closely associated with the Italian composer Domenico Gabrielli (1659–90), one of the first to write solo works for the instrument.