May 17
Cantata
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43
God goes up with jubilation
Concluding the 55th year of Bach Cantata Vespers at Grace is the magnificent Ascension cantata Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (God goes up with jubilation), written by Bach for the feast of the Ascension and first performed on May 30, 1726. The large orchestra, complete with three trumpets and timpani, points to the festive nature of the day. After the opening chorus, each vocal soloist takes a turn with a recitative and aria before the final chorale.
Eleanor Bartsch, first violinist with the Kontras Quartet and violinist with Lyric Opera of Chicago, joins the Bach Cantata Vespers Orchestra to perform Gerald Finzi’s Violin Concerto as the prelude to the service at 3:45 p.m.
Homilist
Robert George Moore, St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, Germany, homilist
Prelude
Gerald Finzi: Violin Concerto; Eleanor Bartsch, violinist
Motet
Ralph Vaughan Williams: O Clap Your Hands
Musicians
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Maura Janton Cock, soprano
Emlynn Shoemaker, mezzo soprano
Ace Gangoso, tenor
David Govertsen, bass