The Chattanooga Bach Choir, conducted by artistic director David Long, continues its Barnett & Company Cantata Series on Sunday afternoon, April 30, in Christ Church Episcopal.
The program will feature two choral works: Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata, BWV 104, "O Shepherd of Israel, Hear Us," and a motet by Josquin des Prez, "Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo," which translates to "I shall sing the mercies of the Lord forever."
The choir's organist, Karla Fowkes, will play Bach's Leipzig Chorales as the concert prelude.
Tenor James Harr and bass Zachary James Cavan will join the choir as guest soloists.
If you go
› What: Chattanooga Bach Choir› Where: Christ Church-Episcopal, 663 Douglas St.› When: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30› Admission: $15 suggested donation, free for students› For more information: www.chattanoogabachchoir.org
"The works chosen for this program are appropriate for the second Sunday after Easter, also known as Misericordias Domini Sunday," says Long.
"The psalm for this day is Psalm 23, the shepherd's psalm. Bach's pastoral cantata, filled with lilting triplet rhythms and mellow woodwind solos, conveys the message of a happy flock, a protective shepherd, a wilderness separate from the shepherd and a pasture in eternity with the shepherd."
Long calls des Prez one of the great choral masters of the high Renaissance, whose music influenced the music of Martin Luther, who began the Reformation in 1517.
"We are presenting Josquin's motet written for this Sunday in the Liturgical Church calendar. The organ prelude from the Leipzig Chorales, based on the melody heard in the final chorale of the Bach cantata we are singing, continues the pastoral theme of the program," says the director.
There is a suggested donation of $15 at the door; students are free.
For more information, visit www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.