The Chattanooga Bach Choir will wrap up its Barnett & Co. Cantata Series on Sunday, March 31, with a performance celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation.
Directed by David Long, the program will feature Bach's Cantata BWV 1, "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Beautifully the Morning Star Shines)," along with Morten Lauridsen's a cappella motet, "Ave Maria," and Dietrich Buxtehude's chorale fantasia on "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (BuxWV 223) for organ.
If you go
› What: Bach Choir Feast of the Annunciation Concert› Where: Christ Church Episcopal, 663 Douglas St.› When: 5 p.m. Sunday, March 31› Admission: $20, free for students with ID› For more information: www.chattanoogabachchoir.org
Completing the program are the Andante and Rondo from W.A. Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major, K. 495, performed by young artist Janelle Wigal Wagoner, French horn.
Joining the Bach Choir will be soloists Maria Rist, soprano; James Harr, tenor; Zachary Cavan, bass; and Karla Fowkes on organ.
"During his years as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, Bach was expected to write cantatas not only for every Sunday (except during Lent), but also for important feast days," says Long. "'Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Beautifully the Morning Star Shines)' was written for the Feast of the Annunciation and was first performed March 25, 1725.
"We are also delighted to showcase a talented young musician in our area, Janelle Wigal Wagoner, performing the Andante and Rondo from Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4. The Bach Choir is pleased to present these concerts featuring Bach cantatas and other works as musical respites in our daily lives, especially during the Lenten season," says the director.
The Bach Choir's cantata series explores J.S. Bach's more than 200 cantatas written for every Sunday in the church year. In each concert, the choir's director presents a brief musical explanation of the featured cantata to place the work in its liturgical context.