Season of Creation Bach Vespers

Join in this service of Bach Vespers at 7 PM in the church and online through YouTube.

Tonight we will hear O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht (O Jesus Christ, light of my life). The melody heard throughout in the soprano line comes from the chorale “Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid”. It must have been well loved by Bach as he set it to music in three additional cantatas. This piece was mislabeled as a cantata in the nineteenth century when it was published. It is actually a motet that was likely written for an outdoor funeral. The original graveside scoring was for chorus and trombones. Bach later rescored the accompaniment for strings and flugelhorn (played by oboes this evening). The focus of the poetry is consolation and salvation in heaven following brief life on earth. However, the line ‘on earth, I am only a guest’ takes on new meaning for us in the midst of our Season of Creation, and especially after having heard Srul Irving Glick’s rendition of ‘The hour has come’.

Things you will need for the service: The Bulletin for Bach Vespers

For the well-being of all who attend our services, mask-wearing while not required is encouraged.

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