Bach Choir opens cantata series marking Reformation

The Chattanooga Bach Choir will open its 201718 Barnett & Co. Cantata Series with a celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29, in Christ Church, Episcopal, 66. Douglas St. Tickets are $15

The cantata series will i nclude four concerts focusing on J. S. Bach’s significant and celebrated choral works. Sunday’s program, conducted by artistic director David Long, will feature Bach’s Cantata BWV 80, “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” ( A mighty fortress is our God) based on Martin Luther’s famous hymn.

Completing the hourlong program will be Felix Mendelssohn’s a cappella setting of Psalm 100, “Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt” (Exult in the Lord, all the world); and an organ prelude based on “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” by Johann Gottfried Walther, a contemporary of Bach’s.

Featured soloists in the concert will be Cynthia Johnson, soprano; Andrea Dismukes, alto; James Harr, tenor; Zachary James Cavan, bass; and Karla Fowkes, organ.

“Oct. 31 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the date in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety- Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church,” says Long.

“We celebrate Reformation Sunday with a performance of Bach’s festive Cantata BWV 80, along with a prelude for solo organ based on this same Lutheran hymn by Johann Gottfried Walther, a musicologist and organist who was also Bach’s cousin.

“Paired with t hese is a joyful and heartfelt unaccompanied setting of Psalm 100 in German by Felix Mendelssohn, who was also associated with the Protestant church and championed the revival of interest in Bach’s music in the 19th century.”

Long will i ntroduce each cantata with a brief explanation placing each work in its liturgical context.

For more information, visit www. chattanooga bachchoir.org.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Chattanooga Bach Choir will open its season Sunday afternoon with a concert at Christ Church, Episcopal.