April 23
Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104
You shepherd of Israel, hear
Bach composed a cantata in the 18th century’s fashionable pastorale style for the Second Sunday After Easter. Its text implores God as faithful shepherd to gather up the flock and bring them safely into the sheepfold. The Kapelle of Concordia University Chicago, under the direction of Charles P. Brown, joins us for the cantata. In the prelude the choirs of Grace and Concordia will combine for a stirring performance of The Alleluiatic Sequence for brass and two choirs, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Richard Hillert. We will also hear his Prelude to Evening Prayer for strings and oboes and sing “Alleluia, Voices Raise,” with text by George Wither and tune and concertato by Hillert.
3:00 p.m. Cantata Preview Lecture (in-person only)
Mark Peters, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights
3:45 p.m. Bach Cantata Vespers (in-person and online)
Bulletin for the service is here.
Richard Hillert: The Alleluiatic Sequence;
Prelude to Evening Prayer
Edward Bairstow: The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Benjamin M. Stewart, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, homilist
Ryan Townsend Strand, tenor
Douglas Anderson, baritone
Bach Cantata Vespers Orchestra
Kapelle, Concordia University Chicago, guest choir
Charles P. Brown, guest conductor