Torment of Hearts

A few years ago, Femke Gyselinck became acquainted with Bach’s dialogue cantatas. Johann Sebastian Bach, the quintessential baroque composer. Within his repertoire, the dialogue cantatas hold a special place, offering a rare opportunity to hear heaven and earth in conversation.

Femke and the B’Rock Orchestra decided to think outside the box: What other music could they add to this? From which period? Contemporary as well? What dance language could be employed alongside? What is the overarching theme?

The result is Torment of Hearts, where three dancers, two singers, and an ensemble of seven musicians embody various manifestations of loneliness conveyed through four musical pieces from three different centuries.

The theme of the searching soul from Bach’s dialogue cantata Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen (1726) can also be found in the song An die Einsamkeit (1717) by his contemporary Johann Philipp Krieger. Departing from the realm of ancient music, we encounter Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (1901) from Gustav Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder. Finally, we land in the 21st century with new music specially written for this production by composer/keyboardist Hendrik Lasure.

All this music will be performed by the B’Rock Orchestra with Cecilia Bernardini on violin, and singers Jonathon Adams & Deborah Cachet.