The Lux Aeterna was commissioned by the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles Music Center, and received its premiere in April of 1997 by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Sinfonia, under their esteemed conductor, Paul Salamunovich.   The LAMC is an organization that has championed his work throughout the years, and Morten has said… Continue Reading »

Imagine the scene:  In one of the big, powdered-wig moments in Bach’s early career (he was just 22 years old at the first performance of Cantata No. 71), the ratswechsel, or town council, has assembled at the Marienkirche in Mühlhausen for their installation.  They doubtless expect to hear fanfares and paeans to their leadership in a… Continue Reading »

Tom Goeman is The Choir’s fabulous Assistant Conductor, Accompanist, and Organist of the Bach Festival Orchestra.  His bio is very impressive: Tom has served as accompanist for The Bach Choir as well as organist for The Bach Choir since 1987. He also works with Greg Funfgeld as Associate Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem,… Continue Reading »

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv49QQsXRtA&w=560&h=315] Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting much more frequently about the repertoire for the 106th Bethlehem Bach Festival.  There is much beautiful music, wonderful fellowship, and stunning artistry on tap for this year’s Festival, as we celebrate 30 years of Greg Funfgeld’s visionary artistic leadership.  The schedule for the Festival follows:… Continue Reading »

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-lNHdMU0y8&w=560&h=315] I recently read Roger Ebert’s elegiac last review for the Chicago Sun Times.  It was a review of Terrance Malick’s To the Wonder, which I’m eager to see, but something Ebert said in the final paragraph really struck me: There will be many who find “To the Wonder” elusive and too effervescent. They’ll be… Continue Reading »