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 »

Our two-concert run of Walton, Lauridsen, Bach, and Rutter is now a happy memory, and what a wonderful celebration it was!  Excitement was high for both venues:  it was so lovely to join the august list of performers who have graced the state of the State Theatre in Eason.  Shelley Brown, the theatre’s CEO and… Continue Reading »