The Bach Cantata Vespers series at St. James presents four Bach cantatas each season as the centerpiece of the Evening Prayer liturgy. Psalms, hymns, homily, and additional choral music all reflect the theme of the cantata. The St. James Bach Choir is joined by professional soloists and orchestra. Additional choral singers interested in singing in the Bach choir may contact the Church Office about rehearsal requirements.
The commissioning of new motets and psalm settings is a unique aspect of the Bach Vespers. Seventeen choral motets have been written by composers including Paul Bouman, Carson Cooman, Richard Felciano, Frank Ferko, Randy Giles, Richard Hillert, Ron Jeffers, Robert Kyr, Joel Morris, Timothy Nickel, Richard Proulx, Carl Schalk, Kevin Walcyzk, and Christopher Wicks. If you are interested in funding the composition of a new motet for a Vespers next season in memory of an individual or in honor of a special birthday, anniversary, or other special event, please contact the Church Office for more information.
The series is supported by the “Friends of Bach Vespers at St. James” and offerings received at the Vespers. In previous seasons — more than 130 individuals and organizations supported the series with an average attendance of 230 persons. Please consider becoming a Friend of Bach Vespers in making a contribution to support this unique ministry!
Fall 2022 Vespers at St. James …
We reinvigorated the St. James Vespers tradition with a service on Sunday, November 13th, 2022 at 5:00pm. This Vespers service highlighted and celebrated the Reformation with instrumental, vocal, and organ music.
Bach Vespers Service on Sunday, November 13th, 2022 at 5:00pm.
“We are excited to return to our Vespers Ministry on the second Sunday of November. As we prepare to resume this beautiful tradition, we are looking at refreshing and reimagining it as well. For me, this means we must start with the foundation: the Vespers liturgy itself. This service will focus on highlighting the structural components of the liturgy, where and when they come from, and how they came to be a part of this centuries-old tradition. The ancient roots of this service will be evident in the 3rd Century Hymn ‘Joyous Light of Glory’, and a choral realization of a chant setting of the canticle, ‘Magnificat’ by Charles Wood. Tying into our fall Stewardship theme, the service will feature Paul Bouman’s beautiful anthem, ‘It Is a Good Thing to Give Thanks’. Please join us!”
–Colin Stave, Director of Music Ministry
You may choose to listen below to the most recent recording of our Evening Prayer Vespers Service from Sunday, November 13th, 2022. Click below to listen to this latest recording …
Summer 2023 Bach Cantata Vespers …
We hope that you enjoyed our Bach Cantata Vespers service on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 at 5:00pm. The service featured Bach’s charming Cantata 112 “Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt” (The Lord is my faithful Shepherd). The St. James Bach Choir was joined by soloists and instrumentalists. Our thanks to our Director of Music Ministry Colin Stave for his guidance and direction. Please join us for our next beautiful service with a reception to follow in Pioneer Chapel.
Spring 2024 Bach Cantata Vespers …
Thanks to all who attended our Bach Cantata Vespers service on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at 5:00pm. The St. James Choir, guest singers, soloists, organ, and orchestra presented Bach’s “Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats” BWV 42. The service was followed by a reception in Pioneer Chapel.
Fall 2024 Bach Cantata Vespers …
We hope that you enjoyed our Choral Vespers service from this past first Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 1st, 2024 at 5:00pm. This performance — with the St. James Choir, soloists, and orchestra — was centered on Bach’s Cantata 62, “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (Savior of the nations, come). That occasion marked 300 years since the work was premiered on December 3rd, 1724. The central hymn and text came from Martin Luther, himself, and proclaimed the arrival of Jesus as savior in a number of contexts.
Please join us again in 2025 …
We look forward to seeing you at our next Cantata!
Spring and Fall 2025 Bach Cantata Vespers …
Please join us at 5:00pm — on Sunday, May 25th, 2025 — and again on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 — when we will present our next Bach Choral Vespers Cantatas with the St. James Choir, soloists, and orchestra.
Premiered 300 years ago in 1725, Bach’s Cantata BWV 6 “Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden” reflects the Easter season, the essence of our evening vespers tradition, and the difficulties of today. The opening text, “Abide with us, for it will soon be evening, and the day is now declining,” from Luke 24, is typically assigned to the days immediately following Easter. The closing text, from Martin Luther’s hymn “Erhalt uns, Herr” pleads for light in a time of darkness. Join us on Sunday, May 25th, 2025 at 5:00pm to hear this piece.
NOTE: For other upcoming musical events in the Portland area, please visit WEKA or Western Early Keyboard Association at www.wekaweb.org …
