There really is no better way to describe our upcoming Family Concert than to note that it is THE children’s cultural event of the season for the Lehigh Valley and beyond.  I am biased for sure, but not that biased.  The Choir, itself, will not be singing, though individual members have roles in a large cast… The post Noah’s Flood: Family Concert Preview appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

  A meme has been circulating among my musical friends that provides a bit of cheerful remonstrance for musicians who think that Messiah is overdone.  It has a portrait of Handel and reads, “So, musician, you think my Messiah is “derivative” and “overdone?”  Well, once again, I’m paying for your rent for December.  From the… The post Christmas Concerts 2019 Wrap-Up appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

Your intrepid blogger has had an extremely busy fall, especially so working on other projects within the Bach Choir universe.  I have been remiss in not updating, but hope to touch on a few happenings from the fall, and preview the big Christmas Concerts soon to happen! The 2019 Gala – The Theatre of Early… The post Autumn Recap – Christmas Preview appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

I’ve just finished listening to John Eliot Gardiner’s beautiful recording of Bach’s graceful and grace-filled Cantata No. 180, Adorn Yourself, O Dear Soul, as I read the late, great Craig Smith’s brief notes about the same, and had to have the most wistful sigh.  In Bach’s oeuvre of stunning, time-stopping music, surely No. 180 must rank high.  There’s… The post August Bach @ Noon: Grace appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

Confession:  I have long admired but perhaps not loved the Mozart Requiem.  I have several recordings, but very infrequently listen the whole way through – often I touch on the first three movements, and sometimes add the Confutatis to the mix, if the mood strikes.  Our two performances of the work over the weekend, however, definitely… The post Mozart Requiem Wrap appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

  What an absolutely spectacular afternoon of music-making!  Somehow, from Monday’s rehearsal to this afternoon’s performance, our singing of Shawn Kirchner’s arrangement of Unclouded Day went from ruddy to rhapsodic.  There was a literal wall of sound as we surrounded the audience with close to 230 singers, and the big moment, when everyone is launched into the… The post Family Concert Wrap-Up appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

The 2019 Family Concert is almost upon us, and I cannot imagine a more powerful infusion of youthful energy and enthusiasm to offset the late-winter doldrums.  This year, we’re inviting four outstanding choirs of young people to take the stage individually and to join us in several selections.  We had a colossal rehearsal on Monday… The post Family Concert Preview appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

Your intrepid blogger has been dutifully immersed in other activities for the organization but returns now to consider the state of things since my last post!  The Bach Choir machine is whirring along most salubriously, with lots of exciting things yet to come in an excellent season. Christmas Concerts Hard to believe, but it’s been… The post Mid-Winter Update appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

Though the beginning of the 18/19 season is only a couple of months old, we’ve been quite busy, and there’s much upon which to reflect! Bravo, Peter Serkin! An audience of around 420 attended this year’s Gala Concert, a recital by the eminent pianist, Peter Serkin.  We surpassed all of our fundraising goals for our… The post Omnibus Autumnal Update! appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more

  Please plan to join us for what promises to be a wonderful Bach at Noon on Tuesday, October 9th, beginning shortly after noon (the doors will open at 11:30).  The repertoire includes an oboe sonata, Bach’s beautiful g-minor work, BWV 1030b, featuring Mary Watt, our principal oboe, and Bach’s wonderful Cantata BWV 131. BWV… The post Bach at Noon, October 9th: From Darkness to Light appeared first on The Bach Choir of Bethlehem ..read more