2010-2011 Season

Bach Birthday Celebration in the Back Bay

Featuring free discussions, masterclasses,
organ recitals, and two Cantatas

 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Admission is free to all events.

Saturday, March 19, 2011 in collaboration with Emmanuel Church, Winsor Music, and First Lutheran Church, Boston. A master class, discussion, and cantata performance conducted by Principal Guest Conductor John Harbison present in honor of Bach's 326th birthday.

 

Emmanuel Music will sponsor a Master Class of Bach arias, working with invited student ensembles, from 2:30 to 5 pm.  Emmanuel musicians include:  John Harbison, Principal Guest Conductor; Ryan Turner, Artistic Director; Michael Beattie, continuo; Peggy Pearson, oboe; and Frank Kelley, tenor. 

At 7:00 pm, Bach’s Cantata BWV 12, Weeping, Crying, Sobbing, Sighing, (Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen), performed in English, will be the centerpiece of a discussion led by John Harbison, Ryan Turner, and Rector Pamela Werntz.  At 8 pm, the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music and soloists Kendra Colton, soprano; Miranda Loud, alto; Ryan Turner, tenor; and Dana Whiteside, bass, will perform the cantata. A reception will follow in the Emmanuel Church Parish Hall, including Bach Birthday cake!

All activities are free, but space must be reserved in advance for the Master Class, the Cantata discussion and the performance. To reserve call Emmanuel Music at 617-536-3356.

Two blocks away, at The First Lutheran Church of Boston, the newly-completed Richards & Fowkes organ, Opus 10, built to German Baroque standards, will be the center of activities. At 10:30 am, William Porter, former FLC Artist-in-Residence, will give an “intimate tour” of the organ’s inner workings in an event suitable for all ages. A German-style gourmet lunch will be served at 11:30 am ($12, RSVP by March 12 to Elaine Laaser, 617-536-8851).  At 12:30 pm Dr. Porter will give a pre-concert talk on the Klavierübung III, followed by half-hour recitals presenting the entire work and its chorales. Performing organists are Porter, Christa Rakich, Andrus Madsen, Heinrich Christensen, Bálint Karosi, Michael Sponseller and Brett Maguire.

First Lutheran’s Minister of Music, Bálint Karosi, and current Artist-in-Residence, the early music ensemble Exsultemus, conclude the day with a 5:30 PM performance of Bach's cantata “Geist und Seele wird verwirret” (BWV 35) for solo organ with period instruments. 

 

 

Bach Birthday Celebration in the Back Bay is a collaboration between The First Lutheran Church of Boston, Emmanuel Church in Boston, Emmanuel Music, Winsor Music and the American Guild of Organists, Boston Chapter.