Bach Choir's Noon Concert Series Begins Again

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s ninth season of Bach at Noon concerts began last week at Central Moravian Church.

The seven-concert series features programs on the second Tuesday of the month, from 12:10 – 1:00pm, September-November 2012 and January-April 2013. Admission is free and no tickets are required. A free-will offering is collected. The Bach Choir recommends that people come early for seats, since the concerts have continued to attract close to capacity audiences.

Each Bach at Noon concert features one vocal and one instrumental piece performed by members of The Bach Choir and Bach Festival Orchestra and distinguished soloists. Greg Funfgeld, now beginning his 30th anniversary season as artistic director and conductor, introduces each program with an informal talk.

For the 2012-13 Bach at Noon series, Funfgeld has chosen to pair works by Johann Sebastian Bach with works by Antonio Vivaldi, the Italian composer who Bach knew and admired. Bach arranged some of Vivaldi's music for organ, harpsichord and orchestra.

Bach at Noon: 2012-13 Schedule

Central Moravian Church, Main and Church streets, Historic Downtown Bethlehem, Second Tuesdays, 12:10-1:00pm

Free admission and no need for a reservation. A freewill offering will be received.

Doors open at 11:30am. Come early to be sure of a seat!

• Oct. 9: Sonata in E flat major, BWV 1031 for flute and harpsichord, Robin Kani, flute; Greg Funfgeld, harpsichord; Antonio Vivaldi – “In furore iustissimae irae” – Motet for Soprano, Two Violins, Viola and Basso continuo, RV 626, Agnes Zsigovics, soprano
• Nov. 13: Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto in G Minor for two Celli, RV 531, Loretta O’Sullivan and Deborah Davis, celli; J.S. Bach  – Cantata 80 – Ein feste Burg
• Jan. 8: Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins and Strings, Opus 3, No. 11, RV 565 arranged for the organ by Johann Sebastian Bach, Thomas Goeman, organ; Antonio Vivaldi – Gloria, RV 589
• Feb. 12: J.S. Bach – Violin Partita in E Major, BWV 1006, Elizabeth Field, violin; J.S. Bach – Cantata 12 – Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
• March 12: Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto for Two Oboes, RV 535, Mary Watt and Nobuo Kitagawa, oboes; J.S. Bach – Cantata 56 – Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
• April 9: J.S. Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, Robin Kani, flute; Elizabeth Field, violin; Greg Funfgeld, harpsichord; J.S. Bach Cantata 31 – Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret!