Leipzig 1723: A Musical Journey with the Ottawa Bach Choir

The acclaimed Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC), the recipient of a prestigious JUNO award, proudly presents the culminating performance of its 22nd season, Leipzig 1723. On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., get ready to be enthralled by the choir as they perform at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa.

This extraordinary event offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the sublime German baroque cantatas, a repertoire that includes the esteemed candidates for the position of Thomaskantor in Leipzig: Telemann, Graupner, and Bach. Among the highlights are Telemann’s “Singet dem Herrnein neues Lied,“ TWV 7:30; Graupner’s “Aus der Tiefen rufen wir,” GWV 1113/23a; and Bach’s “Die Elenden sollen essen,” BWV 75 – Bach’s inaugural cantata composed upon assuming the esteemed post of Thomaskantor.

Leipzig 1723 promises to be a brilliant conclusion to OBC’s concert season. The choir will be accompanied by Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and soloists, as well as organist Matthew Larkin; this brilliant concert will close the season with a flourish.

OBC Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Lisette Canton, expressed her enthusiasm for the concert, stating, “In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Bach’s tenure as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, we are delighted to present magnificent cantatas by the three principal candidates vying for this revered position. Experience these seldom-heard treasures by the foremost German composers of the era, accompanied by the distinguished baroque orchestra Ensemble Caprice and our talented soloists. It’s an unparalleled musical journey you won’t want to miss!”

Established in 2002, the Ottawa Bach Choir, under Dr. Canton’s leadership, has garnered acclaim for its commitment to excellence in choral music. With a repertoire spanning diverse historical periods while honouring Bach’s choral legacy, the OBC delivers captivating performances marked by both scholarly rigour and emotive depth.

The choir’s accolades include the 2020 JUNO Award for their album “Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets,” and their triumphant participation in the renowned Bachfest Leipzig in June 2022.

To further enrich the musical landscape, the OBC recently released their eighth album, “Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets,” on the esteemed ATMA Classique label. The WholeNote hails the recording as “one of the finest on record” that showcases Bach’s timeless masterpieces in all their splendour.

Concert Details:

Event: Leipzig 1723
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Venue: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 82 Kent Street, Ottawa
Tickets: Reserved $55, Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $20, Children 12 and under free
Ticket Booking: Available online at ottawabachchoir.ca

For more information: Contact info@ottawabachchoir.ca or call 613-270-1015

Photos: Courtesy Ottawa Bach Choir