Grace Lutheran Church's Bach Cantata Vespers services present the cantatas of J. S. Bach within the context of congregational worship, the setting in which they were originally performed. Other music in the service, the hymn-singing, and preaching are tied into the themes of the cantata. Cantatas are presented one Sunday afternoon each month, from September to November and January to May.

Read more about cantata vespers at bachvespers.org.

Dates and cantatas for 2013-14

 

Bach Cantatas 2012-13

The instrumental prelude begins at 3:45.

September 30        
Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg
(They sing now of triumph with joy, BWV 149)
William Trexler, Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hickory, NC, homilist
G. P. Telemann, Concerto for 3 Trumpets, 2 Oboes, and Timpani in D Major (TWV 54:D3)
G. Gabrieli, Canzon Septimi toni a 8 (Ch. 171)

October 28                   
Nun danket alle Gott
(Now thank we all our God, BWV 192) 
Frederick A. Niedner, Valparaiso University, homilist
Michael D. Costello, Grace Lutheran Church and School, organist

November 18                   
Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen
(Gladly will I bear the cross, BWV 56)
Douglas Anderson, baritone
Jennifer Powell McNutt, Wheaton College, homilist
J. S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major (BWV 1049)

January 27
Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir
(Lord, as you will, so let it be done with me, BWV 73)
Kurt K. Hendel, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, homilist
A. Corelli, Concerto Grosso in D Major (Op. 6, No. 7),
Sonata da chiesa in G Major (Op. 1, No. 9)
 
February 24
Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben!
(I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief! BWV 109)  
Bruce K. Modahl, Grace Lutheran Church and School, homilist
Bach, Concerto for 3 Harpsichords in D minor (BWV 1063)
Dennis W. Zimmer, Laura Zimmer, and Michael D. Costello, harpsichords
Kapelle, Concordia University Chicago, Charles P. Brown, director
Chamber Orchestra, Concordia University Chicago, Maurice Boyer, director

March 24
Matthaus-Passion
(St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244)  
Performed in a 4:00 p.m. concert, free and open to the public    
William Watson, tenor (Evangelist)
Keven Keys, baritone (Jesus)
Jennifer Rossetti, soprano
Karen Brunssen, mezzo-soprano
Derek Chester, tenor
Douglas Anderson, baritone

April 28  
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
(Weeping, wailing, fretting, fearing, BWV 12) 
Gary A. Weant, Philadelphia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dallas, NC, homilist
Steven Wente, Concordia University Chicago, organist
Laudate, Concordia University Chicago, Maurice Boyer, director
 
May 19
Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten
(Whoever loves me will keep my word, BWV 74)
Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, homilist
J. S. Bach, Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major (BWV 1066)