William Walton Channels Bach in "The Wise Virgins"

Published October 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

The Parable of the Ten Virgins, by Phoebe Anna Traquair, at Mansfield Traquair Church, Edinburgh — "The Parable of the Ten Virgins," by Phoebe Traquair

On The Bach Hour, Yoav Talmi leads the Quebec Symphony Orchestra in Walton's imaginative vision for a ballet based on Bach's music, and Thomas Quasthoff sings the heart-wrenching Cantata No. 56.

On the program:

Gamba Sonata in G, BWV 1027 - Steven Isserlis, cello; Richard Egarr, harpsichord

Cantata BWV 56 Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen (translation) - Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone; Berlin Baroque Soloists and members of the RIAS Chamber Choir, Rainer Kussmaul, director

Suite from The Wise Virgins (arr. William Walton) - Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Yoav Talmi, conductor