Seattle Bach Choir: Bach Cantata Concert
Free
Johann Sebastian Bach — Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut BWV 173
The Seattle Bach Choir, under the artistic direction of Dr. Anne Lyman, presents the fourth annual Mother’s Day performance of two of the many cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert is free and open to the public.
BWV 36, Schwingt freudig euch empor (Soar Joyfully Upwards), is a jubilant Advent cantata composed in 1731. Like most of his cantatas, Bach recycles previously-composed music and adds two popular Advent hymns into this two-part structure.
BWV 86, Wahrlich, warlich, ich sage euch (Truly, truly I say to you), is a more reflective cantata composed for the weeks following Easter. Based on text from an unknown author, it weaves original poetry with verses from the Gospel of John.
Of the hundreds of cantatas Bach composed during his lifetime, these are some of his most celebrated works. Composed while in Leipzig at a time when he wrote some of his most profoundly beautiful and meaningful sacred vocal music, each contains a rich variety of vocal and instrumental music, including choruses, arias, and Bach’s famous chorale settings. The Seattle Bach Choir is pleased to perform these on period Baroque instruments with a professional orchestra consisting of players who frequently perform with the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and Pacific MusicWorks.
The Seattle Bach Choir specializes in chamber choir literature from all eras, with special reverence for the beautiful music of J. S. Bach. Under Dr. Lyman’s direction, Seattle Bach Choir concerts are educational and uplifting, a voyage of discovery for a choral newcomer and inspirational for the aficionado.