February 28
Cantata
Sehet! Wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159
Behold! We go up to Jerusalem
Bach composed this cantata in 1729 for Quinquagesima, the last Sunday before Lent. Cantatas were not performed in Leipzig churches during the penitential season of Lent, so Bach, anticipating Lent and Holy Week, used this Sunday to present music expressing grief and sorrow over Jesus’ crucifixion. The title comes from the gospel lesson for the day in which Jesus foretells his death. Children of Grace Lutheran School join us to sing the final chorale of this cantata.
Steven Wente of Concordia University Chicago joins us for the service and performs a pre-service recital as prelude to the service at 3:45 p.m.
Homilist
Craig Mueller, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois
Prelude
Steven Wente, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois, organist
Motet
Ludwig Senfl, Non moriar sed vivam, motet
Musicians
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Cassidy Smith, mezzo-soprano
Matthew Dean, tenor
Peter Wesoloski, baritone
