3 in 1: Christ lag in Todesbanden

A Triadic reflection on three cantata settings of Martin Luther’s hymn‚ ‘Christ lag in Todes Banden’ through music, visual art and literature. 

Victimae paschali laudes, attributed to Wipo of Burgundy (990-1050)

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706): Christ lag in Todesbanden P 60

Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722): Christ lag in Todes-Banden

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Christ lag in Todes Banden BWV 4

‘‘3 in 1”, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Parnassus and the artist Jérémie Queyras in a performance of three cantatas, all based on Martin Luther’s hymn Christ Lag in Todes Banden by Pachelbel, Kuhnau and J.S Bach - each accompanied by literary and visual artistic responses.

“3in1” offers an immersive experience for both performers and audience, exploring the hymn’s evolution from its 11th-century plainchant origins. The concert begins with an improvisation on the chant, leading seamlessly into the first of the three cantatas, and culminating in Bach’s dramatic and epoch-defining setting.

Selected poetry will be presented, offering contemporary reflections on themes found in the hymn’s seven verses. Alongside the music and text, Queyras will create a visual landscape in real time, painting on three large canvases to form a dynamic theatrical backdrop. The fusion of music, art, and literature provides a multi-faceted experience, inviting audiences to engage with the timeless messages and emotional depth of the works—while also offering multiple points of access for those less familiar with this repertoire.

The origins of the music stem from the C11th and were reimagined by Bach, Kuhnau and Pachelbel in service of their communities; By incorporating diverse artistic forms, we seek to highlight the enduring relevance and emotional power of these works for contemporary audiences.