From Mourning to Joy – Mozart’s Requiem and Bach’s Magnificat

At the turning point between the quiet reflection of All Saints’ tide and the light and expectation of Advent, Cantemus presents a programme where sorrow meets joy. Mozart’s powerful Requiem – one of classical music’s most moving works about the end of life and the hope of redemption – is followed by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat, a jubilant song of praise in which the expectant Mary expresses her joy and gratitude. Together, the two works mirror the transition from darkness to light, from solemn reflection to radiant celebration.

Since its founding in 1999, Cantemus – an “Academy of Choral Singing” – has opened the doors to the world of choral music for more than 7,000 singers from across the Stockholm region. Each term has culminated in a concert at Berwaldhallen or Konserthuset Stockholm, where choir members have developed their voices and musical expression in works such as Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St John Passion.

Cantemus has commissioned new music from composers including Georg Riedel and Jonas Dominique, and collaborated with arrangers such as Olov Helge, Martin Östergren and Sofia Staxäng – often in classical arrangements of songs by ABBA, the Beatles and Queen.

With more than fifty productions to its name, the choir has worked with many of Sweden’s leading artists and musicians, among them Tua Dominique, Paula Hoffman, Olof Lilja and Gunnar Birgersson. Under the direction of concertmaster Elias Gammelgård, BarockorkesterN – with a capital N – brings together some of the capital’s most distinguished musicians for this concert.