Philharmonia Chamber Players: Bach’s Flute Masterpieces

The evening

In this free 45-minute chamber performance by the Philharmonia, the flute is the centrepiece of two intricate masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 is the only one of his suites to use a wind instrument, departing from his usual strings and harpsichord instrumentation. From its slow, majestic opening to the gentle, calming middle menuets, before a rousing conclusion in the famous Badinerie, Bach highlights the flute as a leading, independent voice, full of virtuosity and delicacy. This poise and beauty is also to be found in Bach’s Trio Sonata No. 1, originally composed for the Organ, and here arranged with a solo flute to open this concert.

Pop in just for this 45-minute concert, or stay to hear the Philharmonia take us to the opposite side of symphonic splendour from Bach, with Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop conducting Mahler’s ‘Tragic’ Symphony No. 6, at 7.30pm (separate ticket required).