January 28
Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV 81
Jesus sleeps, what can I hope for?
The cantata, composed for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany, January 30, 1724, is based on the gospel reading from Matthew 8. Jesus’ disciples, together in a boat with him, are confused by his lack of concern as he sleeps through a storm. As storms rage in the orchestra, the tenor aria asks “Why, Lord, do you stand so far off?” But in a beautiful arioso, the bass soloist as the voice of Christ answers, “You of little faith, why are you so fearful?” Jesus calms the storm with a word, as Bach’s music reminds us of God’s care and protection.
Bulletin for Service HERE
3:00 p.m. Cantata Preview Lecture
Mark Peters, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights
3:45 p.m. Instrumental Prelude
Kontras Quartet: Eleanor Bartsch, François Henkins, Ben Weber, and Jean Hatmaker
4:00 p.m. Bach Cantata Vespers
Karoline M. Lewis, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, homilist
G. P. Telemann: Ich danke dem Herrn vom ganzen Herzen, TWV 7:14 (opening mvts.)
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Marybeth Kurnat, soprano
Sarah Ponder, mezzo soprano
Ace Gangoso, tenor
David Govertsen, bass