Sunday, October 20, 2024
Johann Sebastian Bach's church cantatas are often considered the pinnacle of German sacred music, works whose theological depth and emotional resonance touch deep places in the human soul. This year, we follow Bach through the various stages of his career, from his earliest appointments in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, to Weimar, and to the culmination of his work in Leipzig. Each place and each employment offered Bach different opportunities to focus his creative energies. The theme of this concert is "Leipzig I: Reformation Music" and features the cantatas Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (BWV 80) and Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit (BWV 111), together with organ music by Bach, Johann Pachelbel, and Dieterich Buxtehude.
There is no charge for admission. Paid parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis in the Bryan Center Garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the surface lot at the same address.
Learn more about the music in this concert by attending a pre-concert conversation at 4:00 p.m. in Goodson Chapel in the Divinity School's Westbrook Building. Dr. Zebulon Highben, director of Chapel Music, will give a talk titled "Ein feste Burg: Music of Comfort?"
Families with younger children, and those unable to attend the Sunday performance, are welcome at the dress rehearsal the day before (October 19) between 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. in Duke Chapel.