2023 Bach Cantata Preview
Performing a Bach cantata within worship is a long-standing tradition and special treat for the LSM community every summer. Bach cantatas provide a wide range of musical challenges and delights, from beautiful chorales to energetic fugues, as well as poignant texts sung enthusiastically in their original German. This experience connects LSM to generations of the church dating back to Bach’s first known cantata in 1707.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is widely considered one of the greatest composers of all times. But at the heart of who he was as an individual was a church musician. Bach served as a cantor for a number of years, and during that time wrote more than 300 cantatas—though sadly over 100 have been lost. Inconceivably, Bach composed a new cantata weekly during his cantor days, and the text always centered around the theme of that Sunday's gospel reading.
Chad Fothergill, LSM’s cantor and organ instructor shares, “Bach cantatas show that music can carry a theology and sense of faith and craft. The experience of performing a cantata affirms to students that music can come uniquely close to equal footing as theology when you hear the music in its original context.”
An able musician, Martin Luther (1483–1546) instinctively understood music’s role in proclamation, prayer, and teaching. He was an advocate for musical instruction in schools and churches; he also encouraged his colleagues and students to pursue their musical gifts.
For this reason, Lutherans have embraced varied forms of musical expressions in worship—from plainsong and solo pieces to large choral and orchestral works, and everything in between. It was this context that allowed Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) to be trained and then later serve as a Lutheran cantor, or church musician.
LSM has included one of Bach’s cantatas in a worship service each season since 1997. This year’s liturgy includes the cantata Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt (Just as the rain and snow fall from heaven), BWV 18, one of Bach’s earliest cantatas. It was chosen for its quotation of Isaiah 55, the appointed first reading for July 16th. The cantata will be sung in place of the psalm and second reading.
LSM’s Bach Cantata Eucharist Service will be held on Sunday, July 16th at 10am in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Livestream and further information on remaining concerts and recitals can be found HERE. Learn which cantatas were performed previously at LSM HERE.
The 2023 LSM Bach Cantata is generously underwritten by the Sukup Family Foundation.
