Bachfest in Boston

a Bachfest Leipzig Sendoff Concert

Streaming on-demand through July 26, 2024

Ryan Turner, conductor

Emmanuel Church

Program and Soloists

Epstein  commissioned prelude motet Prayer
[Was frag ich nach der Welt/Hine Ma Tov Umanayim]

Bach     Was frag ich nach der Welt, BWV 94
Carley DeFranco, soprano | Katherine Maysek, alto | Omar Najmi, tenor | Will Prapestis, bass
Vanessa Holroyd, flute | Peggy Pearson, oboe d'amore | Rafael Popper-Keizer, cello | Michael Beattie, organ
Harbison  commissioned prelude motet Fadensonnen
Bach     Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101
Sonja Tengblad, soprano | Corrine Byrne, soprano | Carrie Cheron, alto | Charles Blandy, tenor | Andrew Padgett, bass
Heidi Braun-Hill, violin | Vanessa Holroyd, flute | Jennifer Slowik, English Horn | Rafael Popper-Keizer, cello | Michael Beattie, organ  
Ruehr       commissioned prelude motet Your Healing Word
Bach      Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, BWV 113
Wallen       commissioned prelude motet Let the Music be Heard
Bach      Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137

Emmanuel Music goes to Leipzig! We’re deeply honored to have been invited to participate in this global celebration of Bach, and wish we could take all our Boston friends with us. Before we head to Bachfest in Germany, we want to share the experience of Bachfest — with some added benefits — for our local audience. Experience our program of four Bach cantatas, accompanied by newly commissioned motets inspired by each of the Bach works. Emmanuel Music continues our mission of serving as a living laboratory of Bach, both at home and abroad.

Featured Motet Composers

A photo of Marti

Marti Epstein, 
Composer

Marti Epstein  started studying composition in 1977 with Professor Robert Beadell at the University of Nebraska...

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A photo of John Harbison

John Harbison,
Composer

Six symphonies, twelve concerti, a ballet, five string quartets, three operas, and numerous song cycles and chamber works...

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A photo of Elena Ruehr

Elena Ruehr,
Composer

Currently composer in residence with the Lincoln Symphony, she has a major list of recordings including her orchestral works...

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A photo of Errollyn Wallen

Errollyn Wallen,
Composer

Errollyn Wallen is a multi award-winning Belize-born British composer and performer.

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Christoph Wolff discusses Bach
Sunday, May 5, 1 pm - Emmanuel Church Sanctuary

Distinguished Bach scholar Christoph Wolff, Adams University Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, presents a talk on the four cantatas Emmanuel Music will perform at Bachfest Leipzig this June.  Prof. Wolff will illuminate Bach’s compositional approaches, share his insights, and deepen our appreciation of this four marvelous works from the second Jahrgang - part of the overall Chorale Cantata festival at this year’s Bachfest!

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