Bach Choir concludes season with celebration of Pentecost

The Chattanooga Bach Choir will conclude its Barnett & Co. Cantata Series with an all-Bach program celebrating Pentecost on Sunday, May 20, at 4 p.m., in Christ Church Episcopal.

For this festive concert, the choir will perform two works for chorus and orchestra: Cantata BWV 74, "Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten" (Whoever Loves Me, Will Keep My Word) and Motet BWV 230, "Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden" (Praise the Lord, All ye Nations).

The choir will be joined by guest soloists Cynthia Johnson, soprano; Rachel Walls, alto; James Harr, tenor; and Zachary Cavan, bass.

The program includes an instrumental interlude: the Adagio from Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001, performed by Hayden Daniel, a senior at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. The teen is concertmaster of the CSAS Symphonic Strings, as well as a member of the CSO Youth Orchestra.

"Bach's Cantata BWV 74 was written for Pentecost, which is celebrated on the seventh Sunday (49 days) after Easter and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers," says Artistic Director David Long.

"In Bach's time, it was customary to celebrate major feast days with special, festive music. In this cantata, Bach pulls out all the stops with a large ensemble including chorus, four soloists and an orchestra comprised of two oboes, oboe da caccia (English horn), three trumpets, timpani, organ and strings."

Long points out that the cantata's text references the Gospel reading assigned for Pentecost Sunday: John 14: 23-31.

Long continues, "Bach's Motet BWV 230 draws its libretto from Psalm 117 (O Praise the Lord, all ye Nations). This is a joyful, virtuosic work for chorus and orchestra that ends with a jubilant alleluia continuing the celebratory feeling suitable for this festival day."

For more information, visit www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.