Performers

JOHN MCKEAN, harpsichord

JESSE BLUMBERG, baritone

JAMES AUSTIN SMITH, oboe

BRAD BALLIETT, bassoon

PALAVER STRINGS

Program

J.S. BACH Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

J.S. BACH Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56

This is the last year of our Bach series – we’re excited to announce that next year’s festival will offer a morning series entitled MOZART IN THE MORNINGS, exploring the life and music of the classical period’s luminous genius.

As a way to close out our Bach lecture recital series, we revist some of the works that have engaged our imaginations and emotions over the last 10 years of the series. In Part 2, we revel again in the majesty of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and explore a church cantata with “easily one of the finest concert and recital singers of our generation” (I CARE IF YOU LISTEN), Jesse Blumberg.

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are among the most perfect examples of the Baroque concerto that we have today. Few works in the history of music match their colorful instrumentation, tireless invention, or the tremendous demands they make on performers. His church cantata Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen (I will gladly carry the cross staff) was written for the 19th Sunday after Trinity in 1726. The Gospel reading for that day mentions a voyage in a ship over the sea; the storms encountered on such a journey are related to the burden of carrying the cross and living with all of life’s obstacles. It is ultimately a metaphor for sailing life’s journey to reach heaven. The text, whose author remains anonymous, makes numerous references to the sea, to ships, and to a journey throughout.

Joining Jesse for this special edition of the series are performer and scholar of historical music and performance practice, John McKean, “virtuosic” “dazzling" and “brilliant” oboist (The New York Times), James Austin Smith, musical omnivore and innovating teaching artist, bassoonist Brad Balliett, and our much loved resident ensemble, Palaver Strings for our ongoing exploration of Bach’s music.

Zoot coffee and muffins are available before the concert.

Tickets: Age 35+: $38 | 22-34: $20 | 21 & Under: Pay What You Wish

Learn the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass part of the chorale and join in the performance! You can download the music HERE.

Honorary Sponsors: Paul Velleman and Sue Michlovitz

Corporate Sponsor: Camden Harbour Inn