The Bach Choirs’ 125th Anniversary Gala Concert & Fundraiser
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2023
PLAN TO JOIN US FOR THIS WORLD-PREMIERE PERFORMANCE & LIVE RECORDING OF THE NEW SCHOLARLY EDITION!
The Bach Choir invites you to attend the world premiere performance and LIVE scholarly edition recording of
Felix Mendelssohn’s version of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, in celebration of our 125th Anniversary.
Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Jackson, our Bach Choir singers, Bach Festival Orchestra and national soloists will perform this work, the first published scholarly edition of this composition. Music Scholar Malcolm Bruno, a luminary in the realm of early music ensembles and choir recordings, asserts that ‘There is no better choir for this project than The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.’
We are thrilled to collaborate with Malcolm Bruno, who will be the producer of the recording.
We agree that this is a fitting way for America’s oldest Bach Choir to celebrate this milestone anniversary, marking yet another “first” for The Bach Choir and for the world of classical music!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this significant musical premiere!
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Packer Memorial Church, Lehigh University
Concert – 3:00PM; Doors open at 2:15 pm
GALA FUNDRAISER – CONCERT, DINNER & AUCTION
5:45PM – Saucon Valley Country Club
Cocktails, gourmet dinner, and silent auction *Black Tie Optional*
Gala Benefactor Tickets: $325 per person; includes your $125 charitable contribution and reserved seating at the concert and dinner event. Gala Benefactor tickets will be available for purchase by phone only.
Plan to make it an evening! Join us after the concert for an evening of fine dining and great company, in support of a great cause! Our ’23 Gala Dinner and Auction event raises funds to support The Bach Choir’s youth and community engagement programs like Bach to School, Bach to School, Bel Canto Youth Choir, Choral Scholars, and more.
To register for the Gala Dinner & Fundraiser, call 610-866-4382 ext. 110 or 115
Imagine a world without Bach's music. Thanks to Mendelssohn we don't have to...
About 74 years after Bach’s death, the precocious Mendelssohn requested a copy of Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion as a 15th birthday gift. Bach’s music has largely fallen out of fashion and this composition was relatively unknown. Mendelssohn performed this obscure work – with some “adjustments” – In Berlin in 1829 when he was in his early 20’s. This led to a renewed interest in Bach’s work and the publication of the Passion.
Mu
sicologist, Malcolm Bruno explains how a birthday present to a teenage boy led to a revival of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and outlines the pragmatic revisions that facilitated its performance in a new musical era.
Click here to view the full article.
By kind permission of Choir & Organ’ an Anglo/American for professional and music-loving amateur musicians especially interered in the rich heritage of choral music (https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/rhinegold-publishing/magazines/choir-organ/)
