Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity, New York City, is making plans to celebrate its 40th Anniversary Year next season with an expanded schedule of 24 Sundays.
The Bach Vespers presents Bach cantatas in their liturgical context under the direction of Cantor Rick Erickson and performed by the professional Bach Choir and Players who use historic instruments.
The first segment will begin on October 28 with Bach’s ever-popular Reformation Cantata No. 80 “Ein feste Burg” and will continue to Epiphany, January 6, 2008 with Cantata 65 “Sie warden aus Saba.” December highlights will include Magnificats by both Buxtehude and Bach’s magnificent BWV 243.
After a two week break the second segment will begin on January 27 with Bach’s Motet “Lobet den Herrn” BWV 23 and continue through Easter 5, April 20, concluding with the Motet “Komm, Jesu, komm” BWV 230. During this segment all six Bach motets will be sung.
A focal point of the year will be Bach’s extraordinary St. Matthew Passion on March 9, but probably the most anticipated event will the be the July 16-20, 2008 conference featuring Cantor George Christoph Biller, Bach’s successor at the famed St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, in his first American visit.
During the 2007-08 season there also will be pre-Vespers talks by the noted Bach scholar, Michael Marissen of Swarthmore College, and guest organist and conductors.
Complete details will come in the fall. For more information on the Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity go to http://www.bachvespersnyc.org/.
March 21, 2007
Joel Kuznik
