Bach and before

Enjoy the magical music of Bach in the Lady Chapel of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Music by Isaac, Schuetz, Praetorius, & Pachelbel plus four Bach Motets. Tickets include complimentary refreshments at the interval.

Although Bach’s cantatas are more numerous and better known, Bach’s motets stand out as masterpieces of the Baroque period. The four motets featured in this concert are:

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Leid (BWV 225)
Possibly the most well-known of the motets it is also the most demanding to sing. It comprises three movements and the text is from Psalms 149 and 150 and the third stanza of a hymn by Johann Gramann c.1530. Like all the motets it was composed for a special occasion. This motet was written between June 1726 and April 1727 and there is debate as to the occasion. Given its cheerful disposition, it may have been for a feast or birthday celebration rather than a funeral.

Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226)
This motet was composed in 1729 for the funeral of Johann Heinrich Ernesti, the Rector of St Thomas’s School where Bach taught. The text of this motet comes from Romans 8 and the third stanza of a hymn by Martin Luther (1524).

Komm, Jesu, komm (BWV 229)
The words of this motet come from stanzas 1 and 11 of a hymn written in 1684 by Paul Thymich for the burial of the rector of St Thomas’s School. Again the occasion is unknown but may have been a commission for a funeral or memorial service.

Enjoy the magical music of Bach in the Lady Chapel of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Music by Isaac, Schuetz, Praetorius, & Pachelbel plus four Bach Motets. Tickets include complimentary refreshments at the interval.

Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230)
Not included in the first printed edition of the motets in 1802–3, this motet was not discovered until 1821. The text is Psalm 117 and again the occasion it commemorated is unknown.

To complement the four motets the choir will perform works by four composers who came before Bach and may have influenced his writing. These are Isaac, Schütz, Praetorius and Pachelbel.

Programme:

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Leid (BWV 225)              Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226

Komm, Jesu, Komm (BWV 229)

Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230)

Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen                                  Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450 – 1495)

Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich?                             Heinrich Schütz (1585 – 1672)

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland                                 Michael Praetorius (1571 – 1621)

Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt                                     Johann Pachelbel (1653 – 1706)

The last word goes to Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), “Study Bach: there you will find everything.”

This wonderful programme will be heard to good effect in the sympathetic acoustic of the Lady Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, so come and relax into the soundscape of this fabulous Baroque music.

We hope to see you on 10^th November and please join us for a glass of wine after the concert (included in the ticket price).
Tickets on the door: €20, conc. €15, students €5 with ID, all including a glass of wine/soft drink afterwards.