Riga Historical Music and Dance Festival 2025

September 6 (Saturday) 18:00 - Festival opening concert "Four Contenders: Bach, Telemann, Graupner, and Fasch - Virtuoso German Baroque Music", Baroque orchestra Collegium Musicum Riga and Erik Bosgraaf (Netherlands), RCTMC "Small Guild".

Since 2024, Erik Bosgraaf has been the principal guest conductor of the only professional Baroque orchestra in the Baltic States, Collegium Musicum Riga. The orchestra, together with Bosgraaf, not only regularly performs in Latvia and Europe but also released a joint CD in 2022, recording the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Performing soloists:

Erik Bosgraaf (recorder, chalumeau, conductor)

Olga Kudajeva (Baroque violin, Estonia)

Piia Maunula (Baroque oboe, Finland)

Carl Rosman (chalumeau, Germany)

Guna Jegorova (Baroque viola)

Aija Dimza (traverso flute)

In the mid-1720s, the city of Leipzig had to make an important decision – to appoint a new Thomaskantor, that is, the music director at the St. Thomas School and Church. This position required not only exceptional musical abilities but also the ability to teach Latin, train students, and lead church music in the four largest churches of the city. Leipzig's council's first choice was the famous Georg Philipp Telemann, who declined the offer after negotiating more favorable terms in Hamburg. The next candidate, Johann Friedrich Fasch, also declined, accepting a position in Zerbst, where he remained for his entire life. Another candidate, Christoph Graupner, gave a convincing audition and was selected for the position, but his employer in Darmstadt refused to release him from his duties.


Ultimately, the position was offered to Johann Sebastian Bach, who initially was not considered the leading candidate. The council, in a now-famous statement, agreed to Bach's candidacy, "since the best was not obtainable." It was a pragmatic decision that turned out to be momentous.

Bach assumed the role in 1723 and remained in Leipzig for the rest of his life. From this position, he created some of the most enduring works of Western music, including the St. Matthew Passion, the Mass in B minor, and numerous cantata cycles. What began as a compromise by the Leipzig council became one of the most significant artistic appointments in history.

Concert program:

Graupner: Concerto for oboe, viola d'amore, chalumeau, string orchestra in B-flat major, GWV 343

Graupner: Concerto for two flutes in E minor GWV 321

Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no. 2

Graupner: Concerto for two chalumeaux in F Major GWV 325

Fasch: Quartet for recorder, oboe, violin & basso continuo FaWV N:B1

Telemann: Overture. Burlesque de Don Quixote, TWV 55:G10

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