Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce the 18th season of Bach at the Sem, featuring presentations of J. S. Bach’s music by The American Kantorei, under the direction of Robert Bergt. The Bach at the Sem sacred concerts are offered on Sunday afternoons in the Seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. There is no admission charge and no tickets are issued. A free-will offering is received in support of the series.

The 2009-2010 Bach at the Sem schedule is comprised of the following:

Sunday, October 25, 3:00 p.m.—Psalm 130: De profundis, From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee, is performed. This prayer, in plainsong and Anglican chant settings, is confession, meditation, and hope for us and our times. Also offered are composers Schein, Handel, and Bach’s Cantata, BWV 38. Together with these significant works, Psalm 130 culminates in Luther’s great hymn for congregation. The concert’s finale consists of two Great Choruses by Handel from the Messiah.

Sunday, November 15, 3:00 p.m.—David Fienen, guest organist, performs Concerto for Organ and Orchestra in C Major by Franz Joseph Haydn. Bach, Solo Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen for Solo Soprano and Trumpet with Stringed Orchestra, Kathryn Stieler, soprano; John Korak, trumpet. Handel, Psalm 112, Laudate pueri, Kathryn Stieler, soprano, with chorus and orchestra.

Sunday, December 13, 3:00 p.m.—The American Kantorei presents an Advent and Christmas Celebration. J. S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio: Parts I; II, Sinfonia; VI, Final Chorale. G. F. Handel, five Great Choruses from the Messiah.

Sunday, January 31, 3:00 p.m.—Organ recital by Dennis Bergin. Klavierübung III. Chorales by Bach presented by The American Kantorei. J. S. Bach, Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord in E Major, Paula Kasica, flute; Mieko Hironaka Bergt, harpsichord.

Sunday, March 21, 3:00 p.m.—The American Kantorei, with soloists Jeral Becker, Evangelist, and Jay Willoughby, Christ, present J. S. Bach’s The Passion of Our Lord According to St. John. Aria soloists are principals of The American Kantorei. A celebration of the birthday of J. S. Bach.

Sunday, May 2, 3:00 p.m.—J. S. Bach, Mass in B Minor. Soloists are principals of The American Kantorei.

The American Kantorei is a choral and orchestral ensemble dedicated to the performance of church music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Neoclassical periods. The works of J. S. Bach form the core of its repertoire. Music director and conductor Robert Bergt is known as a symphonic and chorale conductor with a specialization in the music of Bach and other masters of the Baroque Period. Bach at the Sem is funded largely through the generosity of individual supporters.

For more information concerning Bach at the Sem or to be added to the Bach at the Sem mailing list, contact Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7362; Bach@csl.edu; or visit the Concordia Seminary Web site at www.csl.edu.