October 25
Cantata
Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest, BWV 194
Most highly desired festival of joy
Bach wrote this cantata for the dedication of a new Hildebrandt organ at the church in the small village of Störmthal. The first performance on November 2, 1723, was sung by members of the Leipzig Thomanerchor, with Bach’s wife, Anna Magdalena Bach, as the soprano soloist. It was sung again in Leipzig on Trinity Sunday, 1724.
Violinists Betty Lewis and Paul Zafer perform J. S. Bach’s famous Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, with the Bach Cantata Vespers Orchestra, 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 Jason J. Moy on the day’s cantata. Moy is Artistic Director of Ars Musica Chicago and one of the most sought-after early keyboard specialists in the Midwest. He serves on the faculties of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and DePaul University, as well as Associate Music Director of Bach in the City.
Homilist
Brian E. Konkol, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Prelude
J. S. Bach: Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
Betty Lewis and Paul Zafer, violinists
Richard Hillert: Prelude to Evening Prayer
Motet
Vaclovas Augustinas, Cantate Domino
Musicians
Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra
Grace Cantor Michael D. Costello, conducting
Carolyne DalMonte, soprano
Samuel Rosner, tenor
Jared Esguerra, tenor
