Paul McCreesh Conducts Bach and Mozart

Paul McCreesh launches OSL’s annual Bach Festival alongside GRAMMY-nominated countertenor Reginald Mobley.

Renowned for his insightful, historically informed interpretations—especially in early music—McCreesh brings his expertise to Bach’s Sinfonia from cantata BWV 42, a luminous instrumental prelude to a work centered on Christ’s post-Resurrection appearances. Unlike the grand choral openings typical of many of Bach’s cantatas, this sinfonia unfolds as a richly textured instrumental movement, commonly thought to be adapted from a lost concerto. Its dialogue between strings and winds creates a uniquely warm gentle tone, setting the stage for the cantata’s message of faith and reassurance.

Bach’s cantatas, the cornerstone of his sacred output, balance intricate counterpoint with expressive depth. Mobley, returning to OSL, lends his exceptional artistry to a solo cantata, illuminating the composer’s unmatched ability to intertwine text and melody with profound emotional impact.

The program also turns to Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, a work of stormy intensity composed at just 17 years of age. Embracing the restless energy of the pre-Romantic Sturm und Drang movement, it surges with syncopations, sudden dynamic shifts, and dramatic urgency. Its famous opening theme (later immortalized in the movie Amadeus) stands in striking contrast to Bach’s poised elegance, offering a powerful juxtaposition of two composers who transformed their respective eras.