If you go
› What: “Northern Lights” by Chattanooga Bach Choir.› When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.› Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St.› Admission: $20 suggested donation; free for students.› Website: www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.The program› “Ave Maria” by Josquin des Pres (1450-1521)› “O Magnum Mysterium” by Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)› “Nunc Dimittis Servum Tuum Domine” by Josquin des Pres› Two chorales from the St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach (1685-1750)— “Herzliebster Jesu, Was Hast du Verbrochen”— “Wie Wunderbarlich Ist Doch Diese Strafe”› “Victimae Paschali Laudes” by Josquin des Pres› “Northern Lights” by Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)› “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen
Choral masterworks from past and present will be featured in the Chattanooga Bach Choir's "Northern Lights" concert Sunday, Nov. 20, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
"Our concert takes its title from Ola Gjeilo's 'Northern Lights,' which draws its inspiration from the northern lights or aurora borealis of his Norwegian homeland," says conductor David Long, the choir's artistic director.
"In fact, the composers on this program are all from Northern Europe or the Pacific Northwest region of the United States."
Long explains that the music being performed features works by "two masters from the past and two masterful living composers," spanning the centuries from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to the present.
"Both Josquin des Pres and J.S. Bach were known for their mastery of counterpoint and greatly influenced composers who came after them, as we can hear particularly in [Morten] Lauridsen's 'Lux Aeterna,'" he says.
The program also will include Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium," as well as three motets by the Renaissance master des Pres ("Ave Maria," "Nunc Dimittis" and "Victimae Paschali Laudes") and two chorales from Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
"The first half of the concert follows the Christian year or Life of Christ (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter)," Long says. "In this program, music of different eras speaks to us across the centuries and reaches our hearts through its spirituality and expressive beauty."
Organist Keith Reas is the guest artist.