Hip hop and Bach in Toulouse

This weekend it was the increasingly successful annual event of Passe Ton Bach D’Abord in Toulouse. This means that all around Toulouse in beautiful locations hither and thither, short events involving the music of Bach in some form is presented to audiences - outside, inside, all manner of dances, soloists, discussions, lectures, films, choral and orchestral performances, etc, etc.

We were lucky enough to attend a choral and orchestral performance in a grand theatre at the University of Toulouse 1. The Ensemble Baroque de Toulouse performed one of Bach’s masses (F major) with score sung by the Choeur Baroque de Toulouse (directed by Michel Brun) with three soloists; a bass, soprano and counter-tenor, which is a man singing like a lady and which is very confusing for a 9 year old girl. It was a difficult piece but it was beautifully performed and they had obviously worked hard on it (since January I’m told). Gorgeous.

Choeur Baroque de Toulouse

 

We then lingered in the foyer chatting, when a kindly Passe Ton Bach D’Abord-yellow-t-shirt-clad usher told us that we really must stay and watch the next event - four young students (playing the harpsichord, two flutes and a violin) who would accompany a troupe of HIP HOP DANCERS! To Bach! The children were amazed: 400 year old music and hip hop dancing - but how can this be?!

It was extraordinary. They were really good dancers - agile, free, strong, graceful and yet with all the raw street-cred of the genre. They were called the Danseurs de Trayectos, accompanied by the Ensemble de Musique de Chambre du CRR. Superb. Although we left the event wondering just which century we were in.

Danseurs de Trayectos at a street performance in Tournefeuille, Toulouse

The final concert of the weekend was at the Cathédrale St-Etienne; a Bach Cantata (BWV 75) sans filet which translates to mean without a safety-net, which really means that you turn up to the rehearsal on the Sunday afternoon, you practice like billy-oh for 90 minutes, you pause to catch your breath, and then you perform to a full audience, without rehearsals other than the one you just had. Next year I’m going to join in, as can anyone. And if I’m not mistaken, the audience can sing along too. 

Cathedral St Etienne, Toulouse

 

Well done them all, and thank you to the city of Toulouse and the Ensemble de Baroque de Toulouse for allowing and organising another fantastic weekend of music to entertain us.