In 1723, three composers vied for the role as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, and each submitted a cantata written for the occasion as an audition. The results were delightful: three German baroque cantatas by Telemann, Graupner and Bach, and they make up the program for the May 4 concert by the award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir.
“In honour of the 300th anniversary of Bach’s tenure as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, we are thrilled to present magnificent cantatas by the three main candidates considered for the position, Telemann, Graupner and Bach,” says OBC Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton in a statement.
Leipzig, 1723
Johann Kuhnau had served as Kantor at St. Thomas in Leipzig for 21 years. He died in 1722, leaving open the plum position, which included the role of head music teacher at a prestigious school, arranging music for four choirs, and performing his own cantatas at two churches.
The role fell under municipal jurisdiction, and the local committee wanted a prestige candidate that would elevate the city’s profile. Georg Philipp Telemann was the preferred candidate. The city of Hamburg, however, his existing employer, upped his salary, and he withdrew from the competition.
Christoph Graupner was the city’s second choice, but he was already kapellmeister at the Darmstadt court, and couldn’t get a release from his contract with them.
It seems odd today to think that Bach would have been third choice for the position that essentially cemented his place in Western art music history.
The Concert
The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets (Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral), and has toured across Canada and internationally. Their eighth album, Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets, was released on the ATMA Classique label in April 2023.
For the concert, they’re joined by Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and soloists and organist Matthew Larkin.
Founded by flautist Matthias Maute some three decades ago, Ensemble Caprice has earned a reputation for innovation within the world of Baroque music. They have performed extensively across the globe, including tours to China, Taiwan, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa, along with Europe and the Americas.
Matthew Larkin is acknowledged as one of Canada’s foremost organists and church musicians, as a conductor, composer and arranger, as well as recording artist and educator. Among many other positions, he has served as Music Director of the Ottawa Choral Society, and at Toronto’s St. James Cathedral. He has performed extensively throughout North America, Europe, and China as a soloist, and with many of Canada’s orchestras.
The program includes:
- Telemann: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, TWV 7:30;
- Graupner: Aus der Tiefen rufen wir, GWV 1113/23a;
- Bach: Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75.
BMV 75 is the first cantata Bach composed after he was officially installed as Thomaskantor in Leipzig.
Details about the May 4 concert at Ottawa’s St. Andrew’s Church, and tickets, [HERE].
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