Iain Ledingham director

JS Bach Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226 Kuhnau Der Gerechte kömmt um Handel The ways of Zion do mourn (Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline), HWV 264

This programme presents works related to funerals, opening with Bach’s Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, written for the funeral of philosopher Johann Heinrich Ernesti, Rector of St Thomas School, followed by Der Gerechte kömmt um by Johann Kuhnau, Bach’s predecessor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Handel’s The ways of Zion do mourn was first performed at the funeral of Queen Caroline, wife of King George II, which took place at Westminster Abbey in December 1737. Though composed for an Anglican service, the work refers to the German Lutheran liturgy. The music was later reworked and used for the opening of the biblical oratorio Israel in Egypt.

Performed on modern instruments.