Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent Deliver Intimate Bach Performance in Andorra

Philippe Herreweghe and his Collegium Vocale Gent ensemble delivered a memorable performance on Thursday night at Andorra la Vella's Centre de Congressos, as part of the Temporada 2.0 concert series.

The Belgian conductor led the group through three works by Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas BWV 185 and 14, followed by the Missa in F major, BWV 233. Originally composed as liturgical music for Sunday services in churches, the pieces took on a fresh resonance in the modern congress venue. Audience members responded with warm applause, though turnout fell short of a full house—a level of attendance that would have packed similar events elsewhere.

The review highlighted the intimate, reverent atmosphere of the evening, which unfolded like its own ritual. Herreweghe embraced ensemble members after the final piece, while one wind section player was spotted silently mouthing the vocal lines during instrumental passages, as noted by observer Marià Cerqueda. Minor distractions included creaks from the stage flooring and occasional murmurs from the sound system, prompting reflections on how the music might have echoed in one of Andorra's churches instead.

The event sparked broader thoughts on art's evolution. Once tied to sacred cult value, music like Bach's has shifted to economic and spectacular realms in contemporary settings—performed not for worshippers but in halls with new liturgies. Echoing Heraclitus, the piece questioned modern preferences for immersive spectacle over pure aesthetic experience, urging gratitude for such nights of reflection amid today's cultural shifts.