Bach Society Season Begins

By Henry C. Mayer

The opening concert of the 39th season of the Bach Society, which was dedicated to Owen Stovall, a longtime supporter, took place at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. It opened with a cantata created by a cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Ludwig Bach, which reflected on Psalm 126. Then came Mozart's "Missa Solemnis" in C major. That was followed by three motets from Hans Friedrich Micheelsen's inspiring "Time And Eternity." A work of singular beauty, it reminds us that the German talent for composing moving sacred music is very much alive. The program closed with a double motet and "Cantata 24" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The regular season has scheduled four concerts and a special event. On October 20, at 3 p.m. and on October 21, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. There will also be a special concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring Vaughan Williams' Christmas Cantata, "Hodie" on December 1 at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Internationally known John Wesley Wright makes his Louisville debut and the West Louisville Boys Choir directed by McDaniel Bluitt will ornament this special holiday concert.

The February 23 concert at Holy Spirit Church will feature music from three different epochs. On Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m., Margaret Dickinson will be featured as well as works by the 20th century Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly. Also scheduled is Bach's Motet for Double Chorus, "Come, Jesus, Come!" plus a fourth number. Handel's "Messiah" will be presented twice, first on Sunday, December 15 at 3pm at St. Boniface and Tuesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on N. Beckley Station Road. For tickets, call 585-BACH. <