First English Evangelical Lutheran Church presents a free concert of a Bach masterpiece on the first Sunday of every month as its gift to the community. All concerts are presented with a full orchestra, choir and soloists. Each performance begins with an introduction to the musical language of J. S. Bach by Maestro T. Herbert Dimmock with the choir and orchestra. All concerts are free and open to the public. (Free will offerings are taken at the concerts)

The instrumental music has been made possible by the Recording Companies of America through the Music Performance Trust Funds. The grant for this performance was obtained with the cooperation of Local 40-543, American Federation of Musicians.

For the 2005/06 season, the Bach Concert Series will focus on healing. The many forms of healing and the great need that all of us have for healing was one of the great themes that Bach returned to again and again in his music. The first six cantatas of the season will all focus on this theme. The series will culminate with the performance of the St. John Passion - a work which showcases the greatest story of healing known to mankind. The season will then conclude with the May and June concerts celebrating the joy that comes to us once we have been made whole.

October 2, 2005 3 PM
Bach Cantata 6: Blieb bei uns, denn es will Abend werden ("Stay with us, the evening approaches")
Cantata 6 features the use of Bach's favorite instruments: the oboe and the English Horn. These woodwinds are featured in beautiful depictions of the story of the knowing of God through hospitality. The story is illustrated on Rowan LaCompte's world-famous mosiac located in the church.
Guest speaker: Rev. Douglas Miles -- Pastor, Koinonia Church
Offerings donated at this concert will be forwarded to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please give generously

Immediately following the concert, a grand dinner of four courses will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The dinner includes drinks, appetizers, salad, main course and dessert. Chef John Rebstock will feature food associated with Oktoberfest. Come share the meal with us. The dinner costs $15. Tickets to the dinner must be purchased in advance. Note: If you purchase tickets to both dinners (Oct. 2, 2005 and Feb. 5, 2006), you will save 10%! Seating is limited to 200. Reservations close on September 26, 2005, or at 200 guests, whichever comes first.

November 6, 2005 3 PM
Bach Cantata 80: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott ("A mighty fortress is our God")
"A mighty fortress is our God" was the rallying cry of the Lutheran Church when it was founded by Martin Luther. Bach takes this famous hymn and sets it for a large orchestra - including three trumpets, timpani, oboes, bassoon, harpsichord and strings. The concert features fantastic musical pictures in sound, including: serpents, marching armies and a great blessing for healing at the end.
Guest speaker: Rev. Otto Arndt, Pastor, Singer and Bach scholar

December 4, 2005 3 PM
Bach Cantata 8: Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben ("Dearest God, when will I die?")
"I from God's abundant store the highest wealth am yet to have, enough, that there I rich and blest shall be..." With these lines of poetry, Bach paints an optimistic picture of the greatest healing of all: humankind will not only be healed from death, after each person dies, he/she will know great blessings and wealth of such magnitude that it could not even be imagined here on earth. Once again, Bach employs the expressive oboe d'amores to tell this hopeful story in sound.
Guest speaker: Bishop Gerard Knoche, Bishop, Delaware-Maryland Synod

January 1, 2006 3 PM
Bach Cantata 186: Aergre dich, o Seele nicht ("Do not vex thyself, o my spirit")
On New Year's Day, we explore the light that comes into the world. In the hands of J. S. Bach, this light shines bright and dashes poverty and hunger. The light brings hope and healing to a world that dwells in darkness.
Guest speaker: Hazzan Emanuel Perlman, Cantor, Chizuk Amuno Congregation

February 5, 2006 3 PM
Bach Cantata 92: Ich hab in Gottes Herq und Sinn ("I have God's heart and mind")
In Cantata 92 Bach wrote some of his most beautiful music. Inspired by the text: "He knows when joy, he knows when grief, would us his children profit, and what he doth is always good, however sad it seems," Bach spins memorable melodies for the soloists and chorus. Two oboe d'amores join to produce one of the world's greatest gems.
Guest speaker: Dr. Chris Leighton, Head of the Institute for Christian/Jewish Studies

Special Event:
Immediately following the concert a grand dinner of four courses will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The dinner includes drinks, appetizers, salad, main course and dessert. Chef John Rebstock will feature food celebrating Valentine's Day. Come share the meal with us. The dinner costs $15. Tickets to the dinner must be purchased in advance.

March 5, 2006 3 PM
Bach Cantata 13: Meine Seufzer, meine Traenen ("My sighing, my crying")
Bach candidly examines the pain and suffering that is so common in the world. But Bach's music does not make us feel sad. Rather, Bach shows us how to live our lives in hope. Hope for healing. Hope for joy. Hope for peace that comes from faith in a better world to come. Cantata 13 is famous for its fantastic harmonies and comforting melodies. Bach at his most memorable.
Guest Speaker: Professor Christoph Wolff -- The world's foremost living Bach scholar

April 2, 2006 3 PM
Bach St. John Passion - Complete and unabridged - Admission by ticket only.
All seats $25 if purchased before February 1, 2006; $30 if purchased after February 1, 2006
The St. John Passion is considered to be the most dramatic of all of Bach's compositions. Mighty choruses thunder as the crowds condemn Jesus to death. Memorable arias inevitably move audiences as the soloists mediate on the great sacrifice of Jesus. This concert will be sung in German. T. Herbert Dimmock, Conductor, William Clark, Evangelist.

In order to obtain tickets, please mail a check payable to the Bach Concert Series to:

Bach Concert
First English Lutheran Church
3807 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

May 7, 2006 3 PM
Bach Cantata 180: SchmŸcke dich, o liebe Seele ("Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness")
The opening lines of Cantata 180 tell the story: "Deck thyself, O soul beloved, Leave sin's dark and murky hollows, Come, the brilliant light approaching, Now begin to shine with glory; For the Lord with health and blessing hath thee as his guest invited." Bach seizes upon the idea of complete blessing and healing. The solo flute, oboes, English Horn and strings all join together to create some of the most pastoral, beautiful music known in the world.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Jerrett Hansen -- Senior Pastor, Gloria Dei Church, Philadelphia

June 4, 2006 3 PM
Bach Motet: Komm, Jesu, komm ("Come, Jesus, come")
Komm, Jesu, komm, is one of Bach's most memorable works. Bach begins tentatively, questioning whether mere mortals can approach the great God, himself. Soon the music is transformed into an exuberant, joyful celebration of the joy that God brings to those who open themselves to God's healing power.
Guest Speaker: Professor Mark Oldenburg -- Professor, Gettysburg Seminary

These concerts are a gift to the community of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church. We ask for your help to keep the series going. Please plan on making a tax-deductible donation each time you attend in an amount similar to the cost of attending the symphony or the opera. Thank you.

Location

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at:

3807 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD 21218-1806

The Church is located on the Southeast corner of Charles and 39th Streets, a few blocks North of University Parkway.

Directions

For directions and a map of the area, please follow this link to mapquest.

Parking

Street parking is available around the church building. In addition, parking is available in the lot behind the Scottish Rite Temple located across the street from First English Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Handicapped parking is located in the driveway of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church located on 39th Street.

Handicapped Access

A handicapped accessible entrance to the Church is found on the south side of the Church.

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