PhD Colloquium: J. S. Bach’s Church Cantatas in Context, Then and Now

As music director for the town of Leipzig, J. S. Bach (1685-1750) was responsible for the music at the town’s four main churches. It was for this context that Bach composed his church cantatas, works of music that grew out of the assigned Gospel for the day and have been referred to as a “second sermon.” This colloquium examines Bach’s cantatas in relation to the liturgy, theology, poetry, and music of the eighteenth-century Lutheran church. It further reflects on contexts in which this music is heard today, concluding with lessons we can learn from Bach’s approach to church music, whether we are performing his music or not.

All are invited!