A Winter in the Life of J.S. Bach

This February, premier chamber choir Choral Arts Philadelphia, in partnership with the Philadelphia Bach Collegium, presents the Winter segment of the 1734-1735: A Season In The Life of J.S. Bach. The series includes three programs each offering two Bach cantatas composed and/or performed during that liturgical season. See preview video above.

The cantatas bookmark brief insightful talks given by guest scholar speakers. “This rare opportunity to experience a ‘year in the life’ of Bach shines a new light on both the individual cantatas and the entire repertory of eighteen works,” said Steven Zohn, guest speaker on February 8. “We marvel not just at the beauty and ingenuity of the arias and choruses, but also at how older works relate to newer ones. The project allows performers and listeners alike to feel a kinship with Bach, his musicians, and his congregations in a way that is possible only with this type of rich contextualization.”

The series runs Wednesdays, February 1, 8, and 15 at 7-8 pm, at S. Clement’s Church (2013 Appletree Street, Philadelphia) with pay-what-you-wish admission and a post-concert reception.

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“1734-1735: A Season In The Life of J.S. Bach” WINTER 2017 – Epiphany Season

Program 5 – February 1
BWV 82 Ich habe genug (I have enough), for solo bass
BWV 125 Mit Fried und Freudfahr ich fahr dahin (With Peace and Joy I Depart), for solo quartet
Talk: “J.S. Bach as Religious Thinker” by Dr. Michael Marissen

Program 6 – February 8
BWV 66 Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen (Rejoice your hearts)
BWV 134 Ein Herz, dass seinen Jesum lebend weiss (A Heart Knows that Jesus is Living)
Talk: “Cantatas in the J.S. Bach Circle” by Dr. Steven Zohn

Program 7 – February 15
BWV 14 Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit (Were God not with us)
BWV 147 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and Mouth Deed and Life)
Talk: “The power of Bach’s Cantatas” by Matthew Glandorf

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