A celebration of innocence – music full of silence and purity.

In the great tradition of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion – which moves and connects many every year – Jeroen den Herder explored the question: how can children maintain their innocence in a world full of unrest and conflict? And suppose all the children sang at the same time, what would that do?

The result is a new and unique musical story that lets you experience the power of silence and childlike innocence. Jeroen den Herder: ‘Motion opens your heart and offers space for forgiveness, hope and comfort. It brings people back together.”

With secular texts by Ida Gerhardt, among others, composer Kris Oelbrandt created a universal ‘Passion of Innocence’ with deep roots in the tradition of Bach. You will hear mezzo-soprano Charlotte Stoppelenburg, children’s choir De Torenvalkjes, the Ensemble CelloWercken, Jeroen den Herder on the five-string ‘Walburgis cello’ and Hua-Hsuan Lee on toy piano and Kees Boeke’s grand piano.

The complete piece will premiere during the International CelloFestival – an expanded version to which a baritone will also be added.

 Kris Oelbrandt about this new work: