The Chattanooga Bach Choir, David Long artistic director, continues its Barnett & Company Cantata Series with Music for the Lenten Season on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m., at Christ Church Episcopal, 663 Douglas St. in Chattanooga. Admission is $15; students are free. For more information, visit www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.
The program features George Frideric Handel’s Chandos Anthem, No. 3 “Have Mercy on Me, O God” (Psalm 51); Heinrich Isaac’s Lenten motet Scapulis suis (Psalm 91:4-5); and Dietrich Buxtehude’s Canzonetta in D minor for organ. Joining the Bach Choir and Orchestra are guest soloists Maria Rist, soprano; James Harr, tenor; and Karla Fowkes, organ.
Mr.
Long said, “Anticipating our performance of Handel’s oratorio Messiah in April, we are presenting one of his Chandos Anthems, settings of Psalm texts written in 1717-18 for the 1st Duke of Chandos and performed in his private chapel. Chandos Anthem No. 3 takes its text from Psalm 51, 'Have Mercy on Me,' which is commonly read in the season of Lent. A multi-movement work similar to a cantata, Anthem No. 3 features soprano and tenor soloists, chorus and chamber orchestra. Though written for a smaller group of singers and instrumentalists, these works are conceived on a grand scale and display what Beethoven praised as Handel’s ability to achieve “great effects with simple means.”
"Renaissance master Heinrich Isaac was one of the most prolific composers of his time, influencing the development of music in Germany and throughout Europe. His a cappella motet, Scapulis suis, a setting of Psalm 91: 4-5, 'He shall cover you with his wings and you shall
be safe under his feathers; his faithfulness shall be your shield and buckler,' is liturgically appropriate for the first Sunday in Lent. The program opens with Dietrich Buxtehude’s Canzonetta in D minor for organ performed by the Bach Choir’s accompanist, Karla Fowkes," officials said.
The Chattanooga Bach Choir’s Barnett & Company Cantata Series explores J.S. Bach’s more than 200 cantatas written for every Sunday in the church year. In these hour-long concerts, conductor and music director David Long introduces each Cantata with a brief musical explanation placing each work in its liturgical context. This season’s series concludes on May 20 with Bach’s Cantata, BWV 74, Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten written for Pentecost Sunday. All concerts take place at Christ Church Episcopal in Chattanooga at 4 p.m.
Music for the Lenten Season (1st Sunday in Lent):
- Chandos Anthem No. 3 “Have Mercy on Me, O God” Psalm 51 G. F. Handel;
- Scapulis suis (Psalm 91: 4-5), Heinrich Isaac; and
- Canzonetta in D minor, Dietrich Buxtehude.
Featured Soloists: Maria Rist, soprano; James, Harr, tenor; and Karla Fowkes, organ