November 22
Cantata
Gott ist mein König, BWV 71
God is my king
An ambitious J. S. Bach, age 22, composed Gott ist mein König for the inauguration of the town council in Mühlhausen. The cantata shows the influence of Bach’s 17th century predecessors, flowing seamlessly from one section to the next. Vocal and orchestral forces are divided into “choirs” heard from at different times in the cantata. Trumpet fanfares remind us that God is King, as the town council is lifted up and prayed for so that all may prosper.
Organist Catherine Rodland of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, joins us for the service and performs a pre-service recital as prelude to the service at 3:45 p.m.
Homilist
Carla Thompson Powell, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Prelude
Catherine R. Rodland, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, organist
Motet
Heinrich Schütz, Verleih uns Frieden
Musicians
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Susan Nelson, soprano
Amanda Koopman, mezzo-soprano
Samuel Rosner, tenor
Aaron Wardell, bass-baritone
