May 19
Wer da gläubet und getauft wird, BWV 37
Whoever believes and is baptized
The cantata with which we have chosen to conclude this year’s series is BWV 37, an Ascension cantata that Bach first performed in Leipzig on May 24, 1724. Its focus is Jesus’ command to his disciples to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” and the promise that “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” A moving duet based on the chorale “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” is sung by soprano and alto soloists, while the tenor and bass arias reflect on the Lutheran theology of justification by faith.
3:00 p.m. Cantata Preview Lecture
Mark Peters, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights
3:45 p.m. Organ Prelude
Stephen Buzard, St. James Cathedral, Chicago
4:00 p.m. Bach Cantata Vespers
Amy Gillespie, St. James Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Illinois, homilist
J. S. Bach: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226 (sung by singers of Chicago Choral Artists)
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Susan Nelson, soprano
Amanda Koopman, mezzo soprano
Ryan Townsend Strand, tenor
David Govertsen, bass