January 24
Cantata
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3
Ah, God, how much heartache
The cantata, composed for the second Sunday after Epiphany in 1725, is based on a 16th-century chorale of the same name written by Martin Moller. An exquisite opening chorus describes heartache and sorrow while subsequent movements remind the believer of the comfort to be found in Jesus. A duet for soprano and alto soberly demonstrates that care and worry can be overcome with joyful singing.
The Kontras Quartet, Grace’s string quartet in residence, joins us for the service and performs a pre-service recital as the prelude to the service at 3:45 p.m. Join us at 3:00 p.m. in the Seminar Room at Grace for a pre-service lecture by Dr. Andrew Megill on the day’s cantata. Megill is professor of conducting and director of choral organizations at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, where he holds the Carol F. and Arthur L. Rice, Jr. University Professorship in Performance. In addition, he leads Music of the Baroque, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Carmel Bach Festival Chorale, and Fuma Sacra.
Homilist
Dan Heim, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, Illinois
Prelude
Kontras Quartet, Chicago, Illinois
Motet
Melchior Franck, Wo Gott zum Haus
Musicians
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Carolyne DalMonte, soprano
Amanda Koopman, mezzo-soprano
Brian Skoog, tenor
Daniel Eifert, bass
