29 June marks the date of our next Bach Vespers performance. It takes place at 6.30pm at St Mary at Hill in the City of London, hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church. We’ll be performing Bach’s little-known cantata BWV 7, Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, which was written in 1724 to celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist (depicted here by Titian, 1540). With the opening reference to the River Jordan, Bach makes the most of the opportunity for word painting, with swelling waves clearly represented in the first movement and a watery theme pervading the whole cantata. The extensive and elaborate opening chorale fantasia is based on a the tune of a hymn by Martin Luther which references Christ’s baptism. This first movement is a tour de force in Italianate concertato style, featuring a virtuosic violin part. Later the tenor soloist is put through his paces in an athletic aria, matched by two violins which dip and dive around the melody. In addition to the cantata, the service will include other music by Bach’s contemporaries performed by our specialist team of voices and period instruments.

Everyone is welcome, so do come along and bring a friend. You don’t need to be religious, you can just come to enjoy the music. Entrance is free (with a voluntary collection). We look forward to seeing you and sharing Bach’s wonderful music.

Following Bach Vespers: 27 July (BWV 45).