Ascension Music by J.S. Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 11)
Concert Performance • [Date] • [Time] • Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes, Washington, DC
Concert Performance • [Date] • [Time] • Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes, Washington, DC
WELCOME
This spring, Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes re-launches its annual Bach Festival, a once beloved Washington tradition, bringing together professional musicians, a community festival chorus, and audiences from across Washington, DC for a concert performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Ascension Oratorio and Cantata: Gott fahret auf mit Jauchzen
The program features two radiant works:
Our festival presents this masterwork in its natural home: the church.
This spring, Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes re-launches its annual Bach Festival, a once beloved Washington tradition, bringing together professional musicians, a community festival chorus, and audiences from across Washington, DC for a concert performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Ascension Oratorio and Cantata: Gott fahret auf mit Jauchzen
The program features two radiant works:
- The Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11), one of Bach’s most festive and dramatic sacred compositions
- Cantata BWV 43, Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, a jubilant cantata opening with trumpets, timpani, and chorus
Our festival presents this masterwork in its natural home: the church.
ABOUT THE BACH FESTIVAL
The Ascension Bach Festival is rooted in a simple conviction:
great sacred music belongs to the whole community.
Each festival project brings together:
The Ascension Bach Festival is rooted in a simple conviction:
great sacred music belongs to the whole community.
Each festival project brings together:
- A professional orchestra
- Paid professional singers serving as section leaders and soloists
- A festival chorus drawn from the wider DC singing community
- A sacred space where music, text, and architecture speak together
About the Music
Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11)Written in 1735, Bach’s Ascension Oratorio tells the story of Christ’s ascension through biblical narration, expressive arias, chorales, and expansive choruses. Though less frequently performed than Bach’s Passions or Christmas works, it is among his most luminous and uplifting compositions.
Highlights include:
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (BWV 43)Composed for Ascension Day in 1726, BWV 43 is one of Bach’s most exuberant cantatas. Its opening chorus—set to the text “God ascends amid shouts of joy”—is among Bach’s most thrilling festival movements.
The cantata features:
Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11)Written in 1735, Bach’s Ascension Oratorio tells the story of Christ’s ascension through biblical narration, expressive arias, chorales, and expansive choruses. Though less frequently performed than Bach’s Passions or Christmas works, it is among his most luminous and uplifting compositions.
Highlights include:
- Majestic opening and closing choruses crowned by trumpets and timpani
- Intimate arias reflecting awe, trust, and longing
- Chorales that invite reflection and communal response
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (BWV 43)Composed for Ascension Day in 1726, BWV 43 is one of Bach’s most exuberant cantatas. Its opening chorus—set to the text “God ascends amid shouts of joy”—is among Bach’s most thrilling festival movements.
The cantata features:
- Brilliant choral writing
- Trumpets and timpani in full celebration
- Alternation between joy-filled proclamation and thoughtful reflection
Festival Chorus
The Bach Festival includes a Festival Chorus, welcoming experienced singers from the DC area to sing alongside professional section leaders.
Festival Chorus members:
Interested in singing?
[Learn more about the Festival Chorus →] (website page to be created, in the meantime please email [email protected])
The Bach Festival includes a Festival Chorus, welcoming experienced singers from the DC area to sing alongside professional section leaders.
Festival Chorus members:
- Rehearse as a large ensemble over several weeks
- Are supported by professional singers embedded in each section
- Participate fully in the final concert performance
Interested in singing?
[Learn more about the Festival Chorus →] (website page to be created, in the meantime please email [email protected])
Musicians & Leadership
The performance will feature:
The performance will feature:
- A professional orchestra specializing in Baroque repertoire
- Sixteen paid professional singers serving as section leaders and soloists
- A large community festival chorus
Supporting the Festival
Presenting Bach’s Ascension music is made possible through:
[Learn more about supporting the festival →] (website page to be created, in the meantime please email [email protected])
Presenting Bach’s Ascension music is made possible through:
- Festival chorus participation fees
- The generosity of individual donors
- Support from members and friends of the church
- Musicians are paid fairly
- Community singers are welcomed
- The Bach Festival can grow sustainably
[Learn more about supporting the festival →] (website page to be created, in the meantime please email [email protected])
JOIN US
Whether you sing, listen, donate, or simply come to experience the music, you are warmly invited to be part of the Ascension Bach Festival.
This is music meant to be shared.
Whether you sing, listen, donate, or simply come to experience the music, you are warmly invited to be part of the Ascension Bach Festival.
This is music meant to be shared.
