Bach for more
Cathedral of St. John to debut new continuo organ during concert
J.S. Bach was an inveterate collector of musical scores. He traveled across Germany with various chamber ensembles and had access to the musical collection of Leipzig’s St. Thomas School. His wide connections made it possible for him to obtain important new pieces of music literature, even from outside Germany.
When Bach discovered Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s unpublished “Stabat Mater” score, he decided to rewrite it. Pergolesi based his piece on the 13th-century Christian hymn to the Virgin Mary.
The Cathedral of St. John will present Bach’s German paraphrase of “Stabat Mater” on Friday, March 15.
The composer “added a viola part; the vocal lines are much more ornamented,” said Maxine Thévenot, cathedral music director.
The musicians include soprano Hayden Eberhart and mezzo-soprano Sarah Nickerson. Both are members of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Polyphony.
“Hayden lives in Albuquerque, but she also works in Los Angeles,” Thévenot said. Nickerson lives in Santa Fe.
Violinist and concertmaster Stephen Redfield recently moved to Santa Fe after retiring from the University of Mississippi.
“He’s very well-known for his work in early music,” Thévenot said.
All the musicians will play early 17th and 18th century instruments. David Felberg will play the violin, with Jeffrey Smith on viola and Katie Rietman on cello.
The concert also marks the debut of the cathedral’s new continuo organ.
“It’s kind of like a baby organ; this is a digital system,” Thévenot explained.
The 50-minute piece is a German paraphrase of Psalm 51: “Savior, blot out my transgressions ... my sins are a sore affliction ... I am but a sinner here.”
The psalm is regularly read during Lent, especially on Ash Wednesday.
“Stabat Mater” focuses on the spiritual and emotional bond which unites Mary and all Christians to the death of her son on the cross.
The piece is one of Pergolesi’s most celebrated sacred works. The musicians performed his original version at this time last season.
“It gives you an opportunity to experience the quiet and finish off your week,” Thévenot said.