A Musical

Family Tree

WATERBURY — The Waterbury Chorale will present “The Bach Family Tree,” a concert with history, at 8 pm on Saturday, December 9, at St John’s On-the-Green.

The chorale, its orchestra and soloists will be joined by Litchfield County Children’s Choir in performing works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his four sons, as well as a work from an earlier generation. Melodies by Martin Luther, the spiritual inspiration for the Bach family, will be woven into the fabric of the concert.

The program will include a quartet of selections, one by each of the four sons, and an excerpt of a harpsichord concerto by youngest son Johann Christian Bach. Melodies by Luther will also be performed.

The principal works of J.S. Bach in the program are his Christmas cantata, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, an excerpt from the Gloria movement of his Grand Mass in B minor, and his Reformation cantata Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott. The latter cantata features Luther’s signature melody, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

“The Unfinished Fugue” and the moving and contemplative chorale, “May Angels Bear My Soul Away,” will also be included in the program.

Soloists are all members of Yale Opera. Paul Jordan will perform on organ and harpsichord.

Tickets are available by calling Jean Schmidt at 203/755-2561 or Carol Palmer at 264-7120. Advance ticket prices are $18 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. At the door, all tickets are $20.