Every season, for the past 35 years or so, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, has offered a series of Vespers Services -- and they do Bach - playing his cantatas where, and how, they were meant to be performed --- in church, within a service, one per time. It is hard to say how special this is.
The first for the 2011-12 season is this coming Sunday, Sept 25. Time is 3.40 for the prelude, and then about an hour fifteen for the service. About 1/3 litury, 1/3 homily (by visiting person), 1/3 music, including a full Bach cantata - which is why I am there, because they hire in a chamber orchestra.
This particular Sunday, because it is the first of the season, will be followed by a reception - to which I believe all are invited -- and at the reception, another Bach vocal/orch piece - the "coffee cantata" will be performed.
please see if your sunday can include this -- good music, a time to sit and reflect (notice I did not say veg). There is a balcony if one is concerned about wiggles, and as said - just a very special.
What are Vespers? This service is drawn from the service originally done at sunset - saying, basically "gee whiz, thanks for getting me through the day" -- and was one of the 7 (?) daily services in cloistered orders (long ago). Even though once a month rather than daily, it still offers the opening to say thanks.
SER and this service. I have been playing these concerts for longer than son Carlyn has been alive (you can do the math). During my tenure, I have played for 6 directors, starting with Paul Boumann, to the current cantor/music director, Michael Costello. Obviously, I think this is music worth playing
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