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Early Music Vancouver: Concerts in November & December
From War to Peace: Heinrich Schütz and His Time, © Early Music Vancouver
FROM WAR TO PEACE: HEINRICH SCHÜTZ AND HIS TIME
A precursor to J.S. Bach, Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) lived in a time not unlike our own - filled with war and uncertainty. In response he composed music of exquisite beauty. The concert on Nov. 5 marks the 350th anniversary of his death.
Pre-concert Talk at 7 p.m. features UBC School of Music’s Dr. Alex Fisher in conversation with Alexander Weimann, director of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra on the importance of Schütz and his music.
Date: Saturday, November 5, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church | 1022 Nelson St | Vancouver, BC
The boys’ choir of the St. Thomas church in Leipzig was founded in 1212, and to this day, it still is one of the most prestigious ambassadors of musical culture in Germany. Historically, the choir director had to prepare the services in four churches and organize the music for city functions. Bach held the position from 1723 to his death in 1750; he was appointed only after two of his colleagues, further up on the list, Telemann and Graupner, had declined.
One of Bach’s major tasks was to provide annual cycles of cantatas for each Sunday. In his first year of taking up the post, Bach set the text of the (Latin) Magnificat with four inserted (German) hymns for a performance at Christmas, giving birth to one of his most popular and festive compositions. In this performance, EMV pairs the famous Magnificat with Cantata 110, which Bach composed for Christmas 1725, in his third year as cantor and director of the St. Thomas church. Vancouver’s Pacific Baroque Orchestra is joined by three natural trumpets, as many baroque oboes, and a stellar cast of singers, under the inspired direction of Alexander Weimann.
Artists: The Pacific Baroque Orchestra directed by Alexander Weimann; Hélène Brunet and Arwen Myers, sopranos; Krisztina Szabo, alto; Jacques-Olivier Chartier, tenor; and Sumner Thompson, bass
NOTE: There is another performance of this concert on Saturday, December 17 at The Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver. Tickets for that performance must be purchased through the Kay Meek Centre’s Box Office. This concert is part of both the Masterworks Series Subscription and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra Series Subscription.
This concert is generously supported by Linda Leonard, Dr. Katherine Paton, and Tony & Margie Knox.
Saturday, Dec 17, 2022 | 7:30 p.m. at The Kay Meek Centre
Sunday, December 18, 2022 | 3 p.m. at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts