27th March, 2022
Come and join us as City Bach Collective performs music for Lent on 27 March at 6.30pm. Bach wrote very few cantatas suitable for Lent, because in the run-up to Easter, Leipzig observed tempus clausam, when ornate church music was not permitted. However, one cantata dating from his earlier employment in Weimar sets a Lenten text. This is BWV 54, Widerstehe doch der Sündewhich is for solo alto. It will be sung in our performance by countertenor Tristram Cooke (pictured). The rest of the service will feature other beautiful music from the pre-Easter period, performed by our singers and period instrumentalists. Bishop Tor Berger Jørgensen will preach and pastor Meelis Süld will preside. Everyone is welcome and entrance is free with a voluntary collection. Bach Vespers is one London’s venerable musical institutions, having been initiated by St Anne’s Lutheran Church over 40 years ago.
