The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest Bach choir in the United States. Dating back to 1712, according to the choir's archives, it was formally founded in 1898 by Central Moravian Church organist John Frederick Wolle,[1] and was established at roughly the same time as Bethlehem Steel, which first began operations in 1899.[2]
Founded in 1898 by Central Moravian Church organist John Frederick Wolle, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem brought musicians together from the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area to study the Mass in B Minor written by Johann Sebastian Bach. This choir is credited with having given the American premiere of Bach's complete Mass on March 27, 1900 (although there is evidence that parts of the Mass had been performed in the United States as early as 1870).[5] Following that premiere performance, the choir then also delivered the first complete performance in America of Bach's Christmas Oratorio in 1901.
In 1914, the Bach Choir's conductor, J. Frederick Wolle, was described by the Harrisburg Telegraph as "the foremost present-day student of Bach" in its coverage of the ensemble's performance at Bethlehem's ninth Bach festival.[6]
Members of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem photographed prior to their November 1922 performance at the Philadelphia Academy of Music
In 1921, Philadelphia's Evening Public Ledger described the ensemble as a "famous organization," and noted that its members would perform at that city's Academy of Music on November 6.[7]
Bruce Carey and William Ifor Jones conducted the ensemble from 1933-1938 and 1939-1969, respectively. Alfred Mann, noted German-American musicologist, assumed leadership of the choir in 1970.[8]Greg Funfgeld, a 1976 graduate of Westminster Choir College, was the conductor from 1983 - 2021. Under his leadership, the choir expanded its concertizing from annual performances at the Bethlehem Bach Festival to a year-round series of 31 concerts, released numerous recordings, and has been involved with the production of two films (the PBS documentary, Make a Joyful Noise, and the internationally distributed Classical Kids’ DVD, Mr. Bach Comes to Call. Funfgeld also initiated and expanded the choir's educational outreach initiatives, including Bach to School and Bach at Noon, which were awarded National Endowment for the Arts grants from 2011 to 2017 and a 2012 international award from the J. S. Bach-Stiftung foundation in Switzerland.[9]
In 2007, The Bethlehem and Baldwin Wallace University (BW Bach Festival), the oldest collegiate Bach festival in the nation as well as the second-oldest Bach festival in the nation), performed together for BW's 75th anniversary of the festival.[10] These two groups have worked together to celebrate the milestones of their festivals. Riemenschneider, founder of the BW festival, was inspired by a 1931 trip to the Bethlehem Bach Festival.[11][12][13]
In May 2019, the choir announced that both its artistic and executive directors would retire within two years. [14] The COVID-19 pandemic delayed their plans, leading Bridget George to retire as Executive Director in June 2021, to be succeeded by Leela Breithaupt. [15] Greg Funfgeld stayed on as Artistic Director and Conductor for one more year, retiring in June 2022 after 39 years of service. [16] Dr. Christopher Jackson was announced as the Choir's seventh Artistic Director and Conductor on May 26, 2022. [17]
^"Choir History and Archives," in "About the Choir." Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem (website), retrieved online February 15, 2019.
^James, Renee A. "Ars longa, vita brevis in Bethlehem." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: PennLive, April 29, 2019.
^"Choir Leadership", in "About the Choir." Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, retrieved online February 15, 2019.
^James, "Ars longa, vita brevis in Bethlehem," PennLive.
^"Ninth Bach Festival in May at Bethlehem." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, February 21, 1914.
^"Bach Choir Here for Concert Today: 400 of Famous Organization From Bethlehem to Sing at Academy This Afternoon." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Evening Public Ledger, November 5, 1921.
^Ericson, Raymond (January 18, 1970). "A Mann for Bach at Bethlehem". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
^"Greg Funfgeld, Artistic Director & Conductor," in "Choir Leadership," in "About the Choir." Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem (website), retrieved online February 15, 2019.
^OESTREICH (May 7, 2007). "Bach's Captains and Foot Soldiers of Musical Industry". NY times. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
^"Oldest Bach Festivals Combine for Anniversary Celebration". PR newswire. July 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
^. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem history. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
^Gehman (Jul 9, 2006). . Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
^ Larimer, Craig. "Bach Choir of Bethlehem announces retirements of conductor and executive director." Allentown, Pennsylvania: Morning Call, May 22, 2019.
^ "THE BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM ANNOUNCES New Executive Director, Leela Breithaupt" Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Genovese Vanderhoof & Associates, June 16, 2021.
^ Calhoun, Chantelle "Bach Choir of Bethlehem conductor saying goodbye after 39 seasons of service" Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: WFMZ, April 12, 2022.
^ "Bethlehem’s Bach Choir announces new artistic director and conductor to lead music program" Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Morning Call, May 26, 2022.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
Walters, Raymond The Bethlehem Bach choir; an historical and interpretative sketch Houghton Mifflin, 1918
William Frederic Badè "Bach Redevivus" The Independent 52, pp1788–1780, July 26, 1900
"Make A Joyful Noise: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem", in "PBS39 Documentaries." Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, WLVT-TV, retrieved online February 15, 2019
October 19, 2023
bach, choir, bethlehem, oldest, bach, choir, united, states, dating, back, 1712, according, choir, archives, formally, founded, 1898, central, moravian, church, organist, john, frederick, wolle, established, roughly, same, time, bethlehem, steel, which, first,. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest Bach choir in the United States Dating back to 1712 according to the choir s archives it was formally founded in 1898 by Central Moravian Church organist John Frederick Wolle 1 and was established at roughly the same time as Bethlehem Steel which first began operations in 1899 2 The Bach Choir of BethlehemChoirThe choir at the Bethlehem Bach Festival Bethlehem Pennsylvania 1917OriginFirst organized to study Bach s Mass in B MinorFounded1898FounderJohn Frederick Wolle an organist at Central Moravian Church Bethlehem PennsylvaniaGenreBaroque and classical musicPresidentHarold G BlackMusic directorDr Christopher JacksonChoir admissionBy auditionHeadquarters440 Heckewelder PlaceBethlehem Pennsylvania U S 18018 610 866 4382InfluencesJohann Sebastian Bach and the composers who influenced him and were influenced by himBased in Bethlehem Pennsylvania the choir has toured internationally performing at the Royal Albert Hall the Thomaskirche in Leipzig where Johann Sebastian Bach was a cantor and the Herkulessaal in the Munich Residenz Munich s Royal Residence It has also performed at such American venues as Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center has recorded with the BBC Proms and on the Dorian and Analekta labels 3 and hosts the world s longest running Bach festival 4 Contents 1 History 2 Selected discography 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditFounded in 1898 by Central Moravian Church organist John Frederick Wolle the Bach Choir of Bethlehem brought musicians together from the Bethlehem Pennsylvania area to study the Mass in B Minor written by Johann Sebastian Bach This choir is credited with having given the American premiere of Bach s complete Mass on March 27 1900 although there is evidence that parts of the Mass had been performed in the United States as early as 1870 5 Following that premiere performance the choir then also delivered the first complete performance in America of Bach s Christmas Oratorio in 1901 In 1914 the Bach Choir s conductor J Frederick Wolle was described by the Harrisburg Telegraph as the foremost present day student of Bach in its coverage of the ensemble s performance at Bethlehem s ninth Bach festival 6 nbsp Members of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem photographed prior to their November 1922 performance at the Philadelphia Academy of MusicIn 1921 Philadelphia s Evening Public Ledger described the ensemble as a famous organization and noted that its members would perform at that city s Academy of Music on November 6 7 Bruce Carey and William Ifor Jones conducted the ensemble from 1933 1938 and 1939 1969 respectively Alfred Mann noted German American musicologist assumed leadership of the choir in 1970 8 Greg Funfgeld a 1976 graduate of Westminster Choir College was the conductor from 1983 2021 Under his leadership the choir expanded its concertizing from annual performances at the Bethlehem Bach Festival to a year round series of 31 concerts released numerous recordings and has been involved with the production of two films the PBS documentary Make a Joyful Noise and the internationally distributed Classical Kids DVD Mr Bach Comes to Call Funfgeld also initiated and expanded the choir s educational outreach initiatives including Bach to School and Bach at Noon which were awarded National Endowment for the Arts grants from 2011 to 2017 and a 2012 international award from the J S Bach Stiftung foundation in Switzerland 9 In 2007 The Bethlehem and Baldwin Wallace University BW Bach Festival the oldest collegiate Bach festival in the nation as well as the second oldest Bach festival in the nation performed together for BW s 75th anniversary of the festival 10 These two groups have worked together to celebrate the milestones of their festivals Riemenschneider founder of the BW festival was inspired by a 1931 trip to the Bethlehem Bach Festival 11 12 13 In May 2019 the choir announced that both its artistic and executive directors would retire within two years 14 The COVID 19 pandemic delayed their plans leading Bridget George to retire as Executive Director in June 2021 to be succeeded by Leela Breithaupt 15 Greg Funfgeld stayed on as Artistic Director and Conductor for one more year retiring in June 2022 after 39 years of service 16 Dr Christopher Jackson was announced as the Choir s seventh Artistic Director and Conductor on May 26 2022 17 Selected discography EditJohann Sebastian Bach Christmas in Leipzig CD Dorian DOR 90113 1988 Johann Sebastian Bach Wachet auf CD Album Dorian DOR 90127 1989 Christmas in Bethlehem CD Album Helffrich Recording Labs 1994 Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B Minor 2xCD Album Dorian DOR 90253 1998 Johann Sebastian Bach Christmas Oratorio 2xCD Dorian 1999 Johann Sebastian Bach The Ascension Oratorio and Two Festive Cantatas CD Dorian 2002 Christmas in Bethlehem Vol 4 CD Album 2006 Johann Sebastian Bach Antonio Vivaldi Magnificat Cantata 191 Gloria CD Analekta AN 2 9872 2009 Johann Sebastian Bach Saint John Passion 2xCD Album Analekta AN2 9890 1 2012 A Child s Christmas in Bethlehem CD Analekta 2013 George Frideric Handel Ode for St Cecelia s Day CD Album Analekta AN 2 9541 2018References Edit Choir History and Archives in About the Choir Bethlehem Pennsylvania The Bach Choir of Bethlehem website retrieved online February 15 2019 James Renee A Ars longa vita brevis in Bethlehem Harrisburg Pennsylvania PennLive April 29 2019 Choir Leadership in About the Choir Bethlehem Pennsylvania The Bach Choir of Bethlehem retrieved online February 15 2019 James Ars longa vita brevis in Bethlehem PennLive Butt John 1991 Bach Mass in B Minor Cambridge Music Handbooks Cambridge University Press p 31 ISBN 978 0 521 38716 3 Ninth Bach Festival in May at Bethlehem Harrisburg Pennsylvania Harrisburg Telegraph February 21 1914 Bach Choir Here for Concert Today 400 of Famous Organization From Bethlehem to Sing at Academy This Afternoon Philadelphia Pennsylvania Evening Public Ledger November 5 1921 Ericson Raymond January 18 1970 A Mann for Bach at Bethlehem The New York Times Retrieved 22 September 2022 Greg Funfgeld Artistic Director amp Conductor in Choir Leadership in About the Choir Bethlehem Pennsylvania The Bach Choir of Bethlehem website retrieved online February 15 2019 OESTREICH May 7 2007 Bach s Captains and Foot Soldiers of Musical Industry NY times Retrieved 20 February 2012 Oldest Bach Festivals Combine for Anniversary Celebration PR newswire July 2007 Retrieved 20 February 2012 The Bach Choir of Bethlehem The Bach Choir of Bethlehem history Archived from the original on 1 March 2012 Retrieved 20 February 2012 Gehman Jul 9 2006 America s oldest Bach choirs joining to make history SECOND Edition Morning Call Allentown Pa Archived from the original on 28 September 2018 Retrieved 20 February 2012 Larimer Craig Bach Choir of Bethlehem announces retirements of conductor and executive director Allentown Pennsylvania Morning Call May 22 2019 THE BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM ANNOUNCES New Executive Director Leela Breithaupt Bethlehem Pennsylvania Genovese Vanderhoof amp Associates June 16 2021 Calhoun Chantelle Bach Choir of Bethlehem conductor saying goodbye after 39 seasons of service Bethlehem Pennsylvania WFMZ April 12 2022 Bethlehem s Bach Choir announces new artistic director and conductor to lead music program Bethlehem Pennsylvania Morning Call May 26 2022 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bach Choir of Bethlehem Official website Bach Choir of Bethlehem at Twitter Walters Raymond The Bethlehem Bach choir an historical and interpretative sketch Houghton Mifflin 1918 William Frederic Bade Bach Redevivus The Independent 52 pp1788 1780 July 26 1900 Make A Joyful Noise The Bach Choir of Bethlehem in PBS39 Documentaries Bethlehem Pennsylvania WLVT TV retrieved online February 15 2019 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bach Choir of Bethlehem amp oldid 1176441778, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
