Host Benjamin Roe shares some brand-new performances from the annual Bach birthday marathon from Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton, Virginia. Featuring Intimate solo works, grand cantatas, as well as preludes, sinfonias, arias and more, drawn from the 2023 and 2024 editions of the yearly celebration of the timeless music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
This Episode’s Playlist
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (“Heart and mouth and deed and life”)
3. Schäme dich, o Seele, nicht (“Do Not Be Ashamed, Oh Soul”)
Charles Humphries, countertenor
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Jessica Warren, Oboe D’amore
Coleman Itzkoff, cello
Florence Jowers, organ
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.18.2021
Bach: Cantata BWV 42: Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats (“In the evening of the same Sabbath”)
I. Sinfonia
Staunton Bach Orchestra
Paul Weber, conductor
Nicholas Kitchen, concertmaster
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.18.2023
Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 [excerpt]
I. Prelude
En-Chi Cheng, viola
Francis Auditorium,
Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.15.2015
Bach: Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
VI. Gigue
Andrew Gonzalez, violoncello da spalla
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2024
Bach: Toccata in E minor, BWV 914
Jeannette Fang, piano
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.18.2022
Bach: Little Prelude No. 2 in C minor, BWV 934
Peter Blanchette, archguitar
Mané Lareggla, archguitar
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Bach: Easter Oratorio, BWV 249
9. Saget, Saget, mir geschwinde (“Tell me, tell me”)
Charles Humphries, countertentor
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Jessica Warren, oboe d’amore;
Julia Angelov, Yezu Woo, violins;
Matt Cohen, viola;
Coleman Itzkoff, cello;
Florence Jowers, portative organ
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.18.2021
Bach: Cello Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012 [excerpt]
V. Gavottes I & II
Andrew Gonzalez, violoncello da spalla
Blackfriars Playhouse
American Shakespeare Center,
Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.17.2018
Bach: Cantata BWV 97: In allen meinen Taten (“In all that I have”)
4. Ich traue seiner Gnaden (“I trust his mecy”)
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Nicholas Kitchen, violin
Yeesun Kim, cello
Florence Jowers, organ
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.21/2019
Bach: Cantata BWV 75: Die Elenden sollen essen (“The miserable shall eat”)
1. Sinfonia
8. Finale Chorale
BATC Chamber Choir & Orchestra
Paul Weber, Music Director & Conductor
Florence Jowers, organ
Bach: Chorale Prelude, BWV 1116, Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Florence Jowers, organ
Bach: Cantata BWV 99: Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (“What God does is well done”)
6. Finale Chorale
BATC Chamber Choir & Orchestra
Paul Weber, Music Director & Conductor
Florence Jowers, organ
Christ Lutheran Church
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.23.2024
Go Deeper
Check out the Digital Programs – with the full rundown of Bach’s works on the program, along with bios and pohotos of all the performers – not only from our 2025 program, but from both our 2024 and 2023 editions of Bach Around The Clock featured on this episode!
Staunton is also home to the renowned Staunton-based organbuilders Taylor & Boody. During BATC 2025, co-founder John Boody will offer a 30th-anniversary builders-eye-view of CLC’s Op. 24 organ, installed in 1994.
Heifetz faculty cellist Colin Carr – a renowned Bach interpreter – will be one of the featured guest artists for Bach Around the Clock 2025. His solo performances of Bach goes beyond the Cello Suites: “Why on Earth would a cellist want to get up and play the Bach Chaconne?” he asks, before answering his own question and then performing a spellbinding version – check out the video of the performance here.