J. S. Bach Cantata Series

Johann Sebastian Bach was 38 years old when he arrived in Leipzig, Germany in 1723 to start his new position as cantor at St. Thomas’s Church. The three years that followed his first three years in Leipzig were a time of intensive creative expression in which he composed many of his key cantata cycles for the liturgical calendar. This series has been curated to reflect the liturgical season of the church year. 

Advent at the Cathedral

December 8, 2024 | 3:00 PM

Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn BWV 132

ORCHESTRA:
Stephen Redfield, concertmaster (violin I)
Jeffrey Smith, violin II
Lisa Grodin, viola
Katie Reitman, ‘cello
Kevin Vigneau, oboe d’amore, oboe
Rebecca Ray, oboe d’amore
Maxine Thévenot, organ

OCTET & SOLOISTS:
Hayden Eberhart & Jordyn Tatum, sopranos
Sarah Nickerson & Kehar Koslowsky, altos
Fred Graham & Curtis Storm, tenors
Alfredo Beltrán & Edmund Connolly, basses

Good Friday at the Cathedral

April 18, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe BWV 22
Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe BWV 156

ORCHESTRA:
Stephen Redfield, concertmaster (violin I)
David Felberg, violin II
Jeffrey Smith, viola
Katie Reitman, ‘cello
Kevin Vigneau, oboe
Maxine Thévenot, organ

OCTET & SOLOISTS:
Hayden Eberthart & Jordyn Tatum, sopranos
Sarah Nickerson & Mary Quinn, altos
Fred Graham & Curtis Storm, tenors
Alfredo Beltrán & Edmund Connolly, basses

Pentecost at the Cathedral

June 8, 2025 | 10:00 AM

On this Feast day of Pentecost, we present one glorious Bach cantata within the context of the liturgy.
Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten BWV 5

ORCHESTRA:
Stephen Redfield, concertmaster (violin I)
David Felberg, violin II
Jeffrey Smith, viola
Katie Reitman, ‘cello
Brynn Marchiando, Trumpet I
John Marchiando, Trumpet II
Maxine Thévenot, organ

OCTET & SOLOISTS:
Joanna Armstrong & Jennifer Perez, sopranos
Sarah Nickerson & Kehar Koslowsky, altos
Fred Graham & Curtis Storm, tenors
Alfredo Beltrán & Edmund Connolly, basses

No tickets are required for this event. Donations gratefully accepted.

Stephen Redfield, concertmaster

Violinist Stephen Redfield was a student of Dorothy DeLay and Donald Weilerstein. A prize-winner in the Colman and Monterey Chamber Music Competitions, he has performed as a chamber musician and soloist throughout the United States and internationally. Over many years with the Oregon Bach Festival, he has participated in numerous recordings, including the Grammy® Award-winning disc Credo.

Stephen is concertmaster of the Santa Fe Pro Musica, the Arizona Bach Festival, and the Conspirare Company of Voices. Since 1992 with the Victoria Bach Festival, he has performed as concertmaster and soloist, and concerts have been broadcast nationally. Stephen has recently retired as professor of violin and chamber music at the University of Southern Mississippi.