Anyone who follows the concerts with our honorary conductor Iván Fischer knows that he always combines unusual works in surprising ways. This programme with the highly acclaimed vocal ensemble Chorwerk Ruhr, which highlights „contemporary choral music in relation to traditional musical forms“, opens up a cultural field between Baroque Christianity and a 19th century American view of Hindu passion history.

The stirring cantata „Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht“ (Lord, do not enter into judgement with your servant) speaks of the deep anguish of a contrite 18th century man who recognises his sins. Yet Christian faith and Bach's musical composition give hope in „trusting in Jesus' sacrificial death, as expressed in the final chorale's (...) wonderfully soothing string accompaniment.“

Bach's cantata is framed by two spiritually influenced works by the minimalist composer Philip Glass: At the beginning, the small-scored „Façades“ from 1981, originally intended to be used in the film „Koyaanisqatsi“ describing the relationship between humanity and nature, is heard.

In a comment on his second work, Philip Glass utters the conviction that the influence of Sri Ramakrishna's life, presence and teachings on the emergence of modern India can hardly be overestimated, as he was „restoring and affirming the ancient Hindu culture from its spiritual source“. In his large-scale „Passion of Ramakrishna“, premiered in 2006, the composer impressively portrays the suffering, death and transfiguration of the monk.