| Emmanuel Music
is the only organization in the world performing the cantatas
of Johann Sebastian Bach as they were intended, as part of
a worship service. Since 1970, the Orchestra and Chorus of
Emmanuel Music have presented Bach cantatas during the Sunday
services at Emmanuel Church in Boston’s Back Bay. The
current placement of the cantata after the distribution of
communion provides the congregation an extended time of meditation
for integration of the elements of the service, so that we
are better prepared to be of service in the wider world during
the coming week.
Bach wrote over two hundred sacred cantatas. They were performed
during Sunday services at Leipzig’s St. Thomas Church,
where he served as Kapellmeister from 1723 until his death
in 1750. Emmanuel Church has revived the cantata tradition:
during each Sunday’s 10:00am service, from September
through May, Emmanuel’s liturgy includes a cantata as
well as other great works of music. The
2011/12 Bach Cantata Series runs through April.
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Craig
Smith (1947-2007) |
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Emmanuel Music's beloved founder and artistic
director died November 14th, 2007. Craig's distinguished
career was lived in and with Emmanuel Church for thirty-eight
years. His legacy in the church and in the Boston music
community is profound. A moving memorial service was held
at Emmanuel Church on Thursday, January 31, 2008. |
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- Obituary,
Boston Globe, Nov. 15, 2007
- Jeremy Eichler's article
about the memorial service, Boston Globe,
Jan. 31, 2008
Memorial Fund:
Our vestry has established a fund in collaboration
with Emmanuel
Music to create a memorial to Craig Smith. Please
send your donations to Emmanuel Church (or place them
in the offering plate) with the notation "Craig Smith
Memorial".
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Please see Musical History, for notes on the development of music at Emmanuel before Emmanuel Music. For additional information, including
ticket purchases, please call Emmanuel Music at 617.536.3356
or visit Emmanuel
Music’s Website. |
