Bach Cantata Tradition
Performing a Bach cantata within worship is 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.
While cantatas have long been a part of LSM, it was in 1997 that Paul Bouman mounted LSM’s first full-scale Bach cantata performance, and from then until 2005 one was performed each year as the centerpiece of a vespers service. Since 2006, the cantata has been included on LSM’s third Sunday within the liturgy.
LSM’s choir director Dr. Nancy Menk remarks, “The fact that high school and college students have the opportunity to participate in a cantata as originally intended is absolutely amazing—this exposure truly can’t be found anywhere else! And with the choir composed of students, counselors, fellows, and faculty, it’s a wonderful mix of individuals who journey together to learn and perform the unique style of the baroque era.”
Seth Hartwell, a former LSM student and counselor, is currently fulfilling the role of Academy Director and is participating in his sixth cantata. “I think for those who want a challenge, the Bach cantata is a foretaste of the collegiate choral experience,” says Seth. “As someone on staff this year, the cantata gives me an opportunity to learn a part that can feel technically challenging and musically enriching when combined with the rest of the ensemble. Our schedules are very busy throughout the week, but this is a reminder why we work so hard—to give God the glory.”
A current LSM fellow agrees, saying “I really enjoy the collective effort of both students, staff, faculty, and fellows in the performing of this Bach. It encompasses the community aspect that LSM represents so wonderfully.”
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.
Says Chad Fothergill, LSM’s cantor and organ instructor, “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.”
This year, LSM will perform Cantata 172, "Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten!" which translates to, “Resound, you songs; ring out, you strings!” It is centered around the first day of Pentecost reading with Acts 2:1-13 and John 14:23-31 for text.
“We chose Cantata 172 this year because it is truly celebratory with timpani, trumpets, and an opening chorus that Bach repeats at the end—it pulls out all the bells and whistles,” explains Menk. “Since LSM is in our 40th anniversary season and we are once again together post-Covid, we really wanted to make this year special.”
“We think this was one of Bach’s favorite cantatas,” echoes Fothergill. “There is a C major version from 1714, a D major version from around 1722, and at least four other different versions that are known. One of the challenges was making sure we found the right version and key to make all the logistics work well for LSM—and I think we have done just that.”
LSM’s Bach Cantata Eucharist Service will be held on Sunday, July 17th 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 2022 LSM Bach Cantata is underwritten by Charles and Mary Sukup.
