A Glorious Hymn for the New Year | Bach’s Timeless Masterpiece (BWV 190)

Experience the magnificent opening movement of J.S. Bach’s cantata Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (Sing unto the Lord a New Song), BWV 190. This cinematic production, filmed in the Kozina Hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic, captures the explosive joy, architectural precision, and spiritual depth of one of Bach's most festive creations, composed specifically for New Year celebrations. BACH’S LEIPZIG AMBITION: Historical Context Johann Sebastian Bach first performed Cantata BWV 190 on January 1, 1724, his first New Year in Leipzig. To understand the force of this music, one must understand the moment. The Pressure of the First "Jahrgang" Bach had been Thomaskantor for only seven months. Transitioning from court service in Köthen to the grueling schedule of the Lutheran church, he faced immense pressure from the public, the city council, and theological authorities. This large-scale work, featuring trumpets and timpani, was a definitive statement of his artistic supremacy and authority. The Liturgical Framework: The Feast of the Holy Name January 1st is also the Feast of the Naming of Jesus. The entire cantata concept is permeated with the symbolism of the Name. For the believer of that era, entering an uncertain new year—fraught with potential war or plague—was only possible in the "Name of Jesus." The music here serves not just as aesthetic pleasure, but as a spiritual shield for the future. THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE OPENING CHORUS: A Triumph of Polyphony The opening movement is a structural masterpiece of simultaneous polyphony, combining two entirely different musical worlds into one coherent whole: The Biblical Call (The Present): The choir energetically sings the text from Psalm 149 in a dance-like meter: "Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied" (Sing unto the Lord a new song). This music, full of rhythmic drive, symbolizes the joy and anticipation of the future. The Liturgical Foundation (Eternity): Simultaneously, embedded within the orchestral and vocal texture like a mighty river, is the ancient melody (cantus firmus) of the German Te Deum – the Lutheran chorale "Herr Gott, dich loben wir" (Lord God, we praise You). By joining the "New Song" with the established "Old Hymn," Bach musically symbolizes a profound truth: we step safely into the unknown future only by leaning on the established faith of the past. A MIRACLE OF RECONSTRUCTION Cantata BWV 190 carries a dramatic history. The original manuscript for the opening two movements was damaged and partially lost over the centuries. What you hear is the result of a meticulous musicological reconstruction. The missing parts for three trumpets, timpani, and three oboes were rewritten based on strict rules of Bachian counterpoint and harmony, restoring the work to its full Baroque splendor. THE PERFORMERS This interpretation is led by Sebastjan Vrhovnik, Associate Professor at the Ljubljana Academy of Music and a conductor renowned for his charismatic leadership and sonic precision. He is joined by the Carinthian Baroque Orchestra, a specialized ensemble performing on period instruments, merging historical authenticity with modern vitality. The vocal forces are provided by the Mixed Choir of the Glasbena Matica Ljubljana Musical Society. Founded in 1872, this prestigious institution is a cornerstone of Slovenian musical history, bringing over 150 years of choral tradition and vocal excellence to Bach’s intricate polyphony. FULL PERFORMANCE CREDITS MUSICAL DIRECTION Conductor: SEBASTJAN VRHOVNIK ORCHESTRA & CHOIR Carinthian Baroque Orchestra Concertmaster: THOMAS FHEODOROFF Glasbena Matica Musical Society Choir Choirmaster: TANJA RUPNIK Choir Assistant / Pianist: ALINA KOLOMIETS PRODUCTION TEAM Director: PRIMOŽ ZEVNIK Producers: JUŠ HRASTNIK, GAL NAGODE, PRIMOŽ ZEVNIK Set Design: TATJANA KORTNIK Floral Design: ALEŠ FORJANIČ Scenography Assistant: GAŠPER POLAJŽER AUDIO Sound Engineer: DANILO ŽENKO Mastering: IZTOK ZUPAN CAMERA TEAM Lead Cameras: ROK MISSON, GAŠPER GORENAK, ALEN HOČEVAR, TEVŽ SMOLNIKAR, MATEVŽ DERMOTA, LUKA BAVDAŽ, MAK DETELA Production Cameras: TAJUS Cable Cam: TINE LENART (Aircam.si) Dolly: ALJAŽ ŽAVRLAN TECHNICAL CREW JANEZ DRAKSLER, NIK PLEVANČ, ANŽE TEŠAR KMETEC, DAVID ZAVRL, LOVRO BAKONIĆ, MAKS RUPNIK, MARK BERNARD, MATIJA REPINC, TOR ŽERJAV, ALJAŽ MAGDIČ, MATEVŽ DERMOTA, TEVŽ SMOLNIKAR, LUKA BAVDAŽ, MAK DETELA, TINA ERŽEN MILIČIĆ, ANA GRGIĆ PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS DAN AŽMAN, GAL NAGODE, JUŠ HRASTNIK CATERING GA-TERING, Gašper Hočevar s.p. CO-PRODUCTION EGSŠ RADOVLJICA (Director: KSENIJA LIPOVŠČEK) SPECIAL THANKS SLOVENSKA FILHARMONIJA (Director: MATEJ ŠARC) MESTNA OBČINA LJUBLJANA (Mayor: ZORAN JANKOVIĆ) COPYRIGHT Production Companies: © TAJUS PRODUKCIJA | © PPZ All rights reserved. #JSBach #BWV190 #ClassicalMusic #Baroque #NewYear #SacredMusic #Zevnikov #BachCantata #ChoralMusic #Orchestra #Slovenija #SebastjanVrhovnik #CarinthianBaroqueOrchestra #GlasbenaMatica #TeDeum #OpeningChorus #SingetDemHerrn