The Learn’d Poet

GIBBONS Hosanna to the Son of David
JS BACH Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn (I have given over to God’s heart and mind), BWV 92

In the penultimate edition of Bach, the Universe and Everything, guest speaker Sam Illingworth explores the numerous occasions in history where poets and creative minds have somehow been ahead of scientific discovery in their predictions.

Bach’s cantata Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn (BWV 92) implores its listener to put aside doubts and questions ‘to give over to God’s heart and mind’. In it, Bach displays his remarkable inventiveness in handling chorales (with no less than five different settings!) whilst the tenor, bass and soprano soloists take us on a stormy journey to heaven.Our guest speaker, Sam Illingworth, is an Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University whose research involves using poetry and games to engender meaningful dialogue between scientists and non-scientists.

Bach, the Universe and Everything is a concert series with a difference. Across six Sunday morning events, we explore the human desire to understand our place in the cosmos, guided by the work of JS Bach – composer and intergalactic genius – through his 200 cantatas. We invite you to join us on a cosmic journey: each event is built around a Bach cantata and a talk from a guest scientist, writer or broadcaster, alongside choral and instrumental music.

Series music director: Steven Devine