Members of The Choir rehearse Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Stars at the Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard I’m making a quick reappearance on the blog during my summer hiatus to strongly endorse attending this Tuesday’s Bach at Noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown.    The doors will open at 11:30, and the music starts just after noon.… Continue Reading »

Bach’s Aria with diverse variations for a harpsichord with two manuals, was first published in 1741, the last work included in Bach’s Clavier-Übung, or Keyboard Practice, a large compendium that includes music for both organ and harpsichord.  To 21st century ears, this is a work that was made famous by the great Canadian pianist, Glen… Continue Reading »

My first experience of the Händel Cecilia Ode (St. Cecilia is the patroness of musicians) was hearing Greg Funfgeld conduct the Musikfest Chorus in a rousing summer performance at the eponymous Festival, one very hot August in the mid-90s (if you think the Packer Memorial Church is hot in May…).  I enjoyed it so much,… Continue Reading »

I first met Dr. Leaver as a high school senior, visiting his then academic post, Westminster Choir College.  I had read his program annotations for Bach programs for years and was delighted to make the acquaintance of this most learned man and musicological rock star.  Dr. Leaver’s charm and wit are legendary, as is the… Continue Reading »

One of Bach’s earlier cantatas, Cantata No. 21, was first performed in 1714 on the Third Sunday after Trinity, during Bach’s time in Weimar.  Like many of his earlier works, despite having come from the pen of a younger and less-experienced composer, it stands on its own as one of his true masterworks.  Beginning with… Continue Reading »