Sunday 6 September 2026, starting at 7:00pm
Doors open at 6:30pm
Music and singing by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–1847), performed by the Agricola Consort.
The Agricola Consort will begin with the motet Aus tiefer Not schrei' ich zu dir (Op. 23, No. 1), a choral work dating from 1830. It is based on the hymn of the same name, meaning ‘Out of the depths I cry to You’. The text deals with human distress and guilt, and the hope of God’s grace and forgiveness. The music expresses both profound sorrow and a powerful trust in faith, building in intensity towards the end.
The work is part of Mendelssohn’s Kirchenmusik, written during a period in which he revived the traditions of early Protestant church music. The piece consists of two closely connected main sections: the chorale, with a four-part introduction in which the melody of the traditional chorale sounds clear and reverent, followed by the fugue, a complex contrapuntal section based on the words of the chorale. Here, the voices follow one another as the plea becomes increasingly intense and dramatic. This is followed by an aria for tenor and choir, a chorale for soloists and the final chorale.
Next is Verleih uns Frieden, a well-known choral work by Felix Mendelssohn based on Martin Luther’s adaptation of the old Latin prayer for peace, Da pacem Domine. It is a deeply religious plea for peace in troubled times.
Zum Abendsegen has its roots in the Anglican church tradition, but will be performed in German during this cantata service. Mendelssohn combines the musical style of Johann Sebastian Bach with his own Romantic style. The chorale melody is at the heart of a setting for four-part choir (SATB), soloists and organ. The piece consists of five sections. The result is a work that powerfully expresses the feelings of despair and hope found in the psalm through music.
The Agricola Consort is conducted by Malou Kars.
Soloists:
Part 3 – tenor solo: Sander Bezuijen
Part 4 – soloists: Laura Mulder and Alice Coster; alto: Sander Bezuijen and Gert de Jonge; tenor: Theo Basoski and Menno van ’t Veld; bass; sopranos: tutti
Organist: Peter van der Zwaag
Minister: Teunard van der Linden
On behalf of the Cantata Services Committee,
Aly Dullemond
