Pfingstvesper des Dresdner Kreuzchores

In the organizer's words:

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach can be heard at the Dresden Kreuzchor's Pentecost Vespers on Saturday, June 7, 2024 at 5 p.m., when his impressive Pentecost cantata "Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten" BWV 74 will be performed in Saxony's largest church.

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach in the Pentecost Vespers

Composed in 1725 for the feast of Pentecost, the cantata bears witness to Bach's deep theological and musical penetration of biblical texts and his tireless efforts to use music in the service of faith and to touch the hearts of his listeners. The libretto, based on the Gospel of John, in which Jesus promises his disciples the sending of the Holy Spirit, was written by Christiana Mariana von Ziegler, who contributed to nine of his works from 1724 onwards.

The opening chorus is an arrangement from a cantata that Bach had composed two years earlier. He retained the structure of the original, added a third trumpet and a three-part oboe choir, making everything even more imposing and festive. The arias, which give the soloists plenty of room for expressive interpretation of the theological message, reflect the various facets of love for God and the promise of the Holy Spirit. The beautiful final chorale summarizes the cantata's message and offers the congregation an opportunity for devotion and affirmation of faith.

The Dresden Kreuzchor, the Dresden Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Birte Kulawik (soprano), Jonathan Mayenschein (alto), Christopher Renz (tenor) and Johannes G. Schmidt (bass) will sing and perform under the direction of Kreuzkantor Martin Lehmann. Following the vespers, the Crucians can be seen at the traditional Kurren singing at Portal C.

Price information:

To attend Vespers, a program must be purchased for €5 per person, available at the church entrance. Children up to the age of 14 and severely disabled persons from GdB 80 are free of charge. Free choice of seats in the church. Tip: save 25% with the 4-person Vespers voucher.