Description

Announcing the 2016-2017 Barnett & Company Cantata Series

OPENING CONCERT ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 AT 4:00 P.M.
CELEBRATES 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION

at First Christian Church (650 McCallie Avenue)
featuring J.S. Bach Cantata BWV 79, Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, G.P. Telemann Motet Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott

Suggested Donation: $15; Free for Students

The Chattanooga Bach Choir & Orchestra announces its 2016-17 Barnett & Company Cantata Series, featuring four concerts focusing on these significant and celebrated choral works by Bach, conducted by artistic director David Long. The first concert takes place on Sunday, October 30 at 4:00 p.m., at First Christian Church (650 McCallie Avenue). Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation the program includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s festive cantata, Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild (Lord God is our Sun and Shield) and Georg Philipp Telemann’s motet, Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is our God). Joining the Bach Choir are guest soloists: Beth DuRoy, soprano, Sara Snider Schone, mezzo soprano, and Zachary James Cavan, bass.

The Reformation Day is celebrated October 31, commemorating the date in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. For this festive occasion, Bach wrote a magnificent musical celebration, lavishly scored for flutes, horns timpani, soloists and chorus. Alternating between the moods of triumph and devotion, the powerful opening movement sets the words of Psalm 84:12 “For Lord God is our light and protector.” The third movement is an elaborate chorale setting of the famous hymn, Nun Danket Alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God). Also on the program is Telemann’s motet setting of the Reformation hymn, Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is Our God) for four-part chorus and orchestra, marking the 250th anniversary of the composer’s death.

The Barnett & Company Cantata Series continues on January 29, 2017, with BWV 81 for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Jesus Schläft, Was Sol Lich Hoffen (Jesus sleeps, is hope now fading). Then two cantatas for the Easter season follow with BWV 104 Du Hirte Israel, Höre (O shield of Israel, hear us) on April 30, 2017, and BWV 86 Wahrlich, Wahrlich, Ich Sage Euch (Truly, truly I say to you) on May 21, 2017. These three concerts take place at Christ Episcopal Church on McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga.