Bach: Brandenburg Concertos

J. S. Bach’s iconic ‘Brandenburg’ Concertos — played in full by the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed period ensemble Arcangelo, led by director Jonathan Cohen.

These concertos were presented to the Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1721, but they were never performed at his court: a surprising fate for works now regarded as some of Bach’s greatest. Some have suggested the Margrave simply didn’t have the musicians capable of playing them. Others see the gift as a speculative job application from Bach that fell on deaf ears. Whatever the reason, the manuscripts sat untouched and unnoticed for well over a century.

The Brandenburg Concertos are built for collaboration at the highest level: each one a platform for virtuosic conversation between equals. This is music that demands alertness, nuance, and generosity from its performers: written not for soloists and accompaniment, but for musicians who listen, respond, and lead together. The surprises are constant — from the bold trumpet solos of No. 2 to the intimate, string-only texture of No. 3, or the wildly ambitious harpsichord cadenza in No. 5. It’s only with the finest players that these works truly come to life.

Full programme
Johann Sebastian Bach -
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051