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 »

This year’s Bach at 4 concerts, in the lovely visual and acoustical confines of the Incarnation of Our Lord Church, promise to be especially stunning.  At the center of the program is Bach’s fantastic cantata, No. 106. One of his earliest vocal works, this Cantata, “God’s time is the very best time,” is widely considered… Continue Reading »

We’re a little less than two weeks out from the 111th Bethlehem Bach Festival!  So far, only the Chamber Music in the Saal Concerts have sold out – it’s likely Zimmerman’s Coffee House will do the same.  Please visit the Festival page for more information about individual events.  I have previously summarized what I anticipate… Continue Reading »