Chorale Architecture: From Expectation to Fulfillment

The Washington Bach Consort opens its 2026–27 season with a director’s series concert that explores the intricate structure and emotional journey of four Bach cantatas built around chorale melodies. The program moves from Advent anticipation through plea, vigilance, and finally fulfilled joy, showcasing the composer’s artful inventiveness in weaving chorale tunes into carefully wrought musical architecture. The concert features *Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland*, BWV 61 (with a regal French-overture opening), the rarely heard *Nimm von uns, Herr*, BWV 101 (a strict chorale-cantata with striking dissonances), *Wachet auf*, BWV 140 (balancing animated and serene readiness), and *Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben*, BWV 147 (ending in joyful assurance with the familiar “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”).

When: Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Venue: National Presbyterian Church.

Lineup: Soprano Elijah McCormack, alto Kristen Dubenion-Smith, tenor Andrew Bearden Brown, bass Paul Max Tipton. Underwriters: William B. Munier & Laurinda L. Rohn, Tom Morante & Marianne Splitter.

Program: Four cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach – *Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland*, BWV 61; *Nimm von uns, Herr*, BWV 101; *Wachet auf*, BWV 140; *Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben*, BWV 147.

Tickets: Price not available. Subscriptions for the 2026–27 season are on sale; single tickets may be purchased through the Box Office at 202.429.2121. Subscribers receive discounted tickets, priority seating, fee-free exchanges, and other benefits.

Note: This is a Director’s Series concert. The season opens Thursday, September 10 with a different performance featuring Danqi Zeng, 2025 winner of the Lillian and Maurice Barbash International J.S. Bach Competition.