Emmanuel Music

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 2009/10 Bach Cantata Series runs through April.

The result of a two-year search for Music Director of Emmanuel Church and Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music was announced March 2. In September Ryan will succeed our reknown interim John Harbison and our beloved, late director Craig Smith. As a long-time member of Emmanuel Music and tenor in our choir, Ryan, and his wife, soprano Susan Consoli, are known to many of us. We wish to thank John Harbison, Acting Director; Michael Beattie, Associate Conductor; and Pat Krol, Executive Director of Emmanuel Music, along with members of the search committee, who have worked so diligently to maintain our music program and secure its future. For more details please see Emmanuel Music's announcement and the Boston Globe's article.

For additional information, including ticket purchases, please call Emmanuel Music at 617.536.3356 or visit Emmanuel Music’s Website.