The clips below offer a moment of comfort in these challenging times. As our worldwide community does its best to help those in need and help others stay safe, as we all persevere to move past the immediate concerns, once again share our time with friends and family, and embrace our day-to-day lives, we hope this music offers you comfort, peace, joy, and inspiration.

 

From Greg Funfgeld, our Artistic Director and Conductor:

“We are sad to lose the live performance opportunities for our Bach Choir Family to be together, and to offer the experiences they bring, but the safety of everyone is our first priority. Our musical family is an extraordinary community of people – people who love the musical and spiritual offerings of Bach and his contemporaries and who have become part of what we lovingly call ‘a family.’ YOU, our friends, are at the heart of that – and YOU help make it possible. You are an inspiration to everyone at The Bach Choir.

Take good care of yourselves and join us again as soon as we get back to doing what we love so much – singing and playing the music of Bach for you!”

Everyone at The Choir deeply appreciates your generous support, offered in so many ways, especially at this time. Please enjoy our collections of “Moments,” listed below.

The Bel Canto Youth Chorus, under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director Joy Hirokawa, performs selections from their curriculum and film, “Stand up: Singing the Underground Railroad” Traditional Spiritual, Rollo Dilworth, arr.: My Lord, What a Morning (A Choral Fantasy) Marques L. A. Garrett: Sing Out, My Soul Traditional Spiritual, Robert T. Gibson, arr.: This Little Light of Mine.

Filmed on location at Richland Friends Meeting, Quakertown, PA

Middle School Students! Join us for Choral Village July 26 – 30, 2021 at Broughal Middle School An immersive summer program for middle school aged youth to explore equity, empathy, and community through music, drumming, and creative music making. This year featuring guest teacher-artist Camille Armstrong! See our webpage for more information.

Georg Philipp Telemann
Sonata in C Minor for Oboe
Affettuoso
Andante (non troppo) e staccato
Largo
Allegro
Grave
Allegro cantabile

from Ouverture and Suite in B-flat Major
Affettuoso et molto adagio

Please click the image below for a video from Greg, as he talks with Kelly S. Rocchi, Choral Director at Nazareth Area high School and introduces her students performing three pieces.

J.S. Bach
Domine Deus

Ermani Aguiar
Cantus (Psalm 150) 

Marcos Leite (arranger)
Tres Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Krao

Please enjoy these two pianos pieces, offered by Greg Funfgeld, Artistic Director and Conductor, from the parlor in Heckewelder House.

We’re welcoming back Eugene Albulescu, who will offer two energetic and lively pieces as our “Moment of Comfort.”  Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld introduces his friend, and the music of Domenico Scarlatti and Franz Joseph Haydn, as the world reawakens to Spring and all the beauty it holds.

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Sonata in C Major, K. 159 – Allegro

Sonata in G Minor, K. 8 – Allegro

Sonata in D Minor, K. 9 – Allegro

Sonata in A Major, K. 26 – Presto

 

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Sonata in E Minor, Hob. XVI/34 – I.  Presto

Today’s Moment of Comfort comes from our friend, Eugene Albulescu, Philharmonic Music Director at Lehigh University and an award-winning performer and conductor.

Johann Sebastian Bach – from the English Suite Nr. 2 in A Minor, BWV 907
Allemande
Bourée I and II

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – from Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, KV 282
I. Adagio

In today’s encouraging Moment of Comfort, we offer the three chorale movements from The Choir’s recording of Wachet Auf.

Introduced with great affection by Artistic Director and Conductor, Greg Funfgeld, please enjoy this Moment that in Greg’s words, offers “truth, insight, hope and a vision of peace.”

Recorded in 1989 in Bethlehem:
Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme

Zion hört die Wächter singen

Gloria sei dur gesungen

We are delighted to revisit Charlotte as she offers us these exquisite pieces from Couperin and Bach, performed in the lavish drawing room in Smith Memorial Hall at the University of Illinois.

Her selections include:
Couperin: L’Arlequine ou la Adam, Pièces de clavecin
La Blanchet, Pièces de clavecin

Bach: Adagio from the Italian Concerto, BWV 971

From Charlotte’s notes on the program: Couperin was a musical innovator, whose compositions give us a glimpse into Parisian society in the mid -18th century. Note that the composition “La Blanchet” was written to honor a virtuoso female harpsichordist. He must have been thinking of Charlotte!

We welcome back Charlotte Mattax Moersch, our exquisite harpsichordist to offer Moment of Comfort.   What a treat to hear her offer several selections from The Goldberg Variations, including:   Aria, Variations 16 – 23 and 17 & 29.

Recorded in the Beaux-Arts drawing room in Smith Memorial Hall, University of Illinois.

 

Click the image below to hear an introduction from Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld as he closes the beautiful Christmas Season in this week’s Moment of Comfort. Greg introduces four carols from our recordings, Christmas in Bethlehem, Volume 4, and A Child’s Christmas in Bethlehem. The selection includes:

                Of the Father’s Heart Begotten – from Christmas in Bethlehem, Vol. 4
                The Angel Gabriel – from A Child’s Christmas in Bethlehem
                Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes – from Christmas in Bethlehem. Vol. 4
                Joys Seven – from Christmas in Bethlehem, Vol. 4

Click the image to view four carols from our Christmas in Bethlehem recordings, Volumes 2, 3 and 4.

A Babe is Born, Vol. 4
In Dulci Jubilo, Vol. 3
There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth, Vol. 3
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Vol. 2

Click the image below to view four favorite pieces from our recordings, Christmas in Bethlehem Volume 3, and A Child’s Christmas in Bethlehem.

The selection includes O Holy Night, featuring Thomas Goeman, our accompanist and Associate Conductor on the organ.

Ding Dong Merrily on High
Sweet Little Jesus
This Little Babe
O Holy Night

Click the image below to view four favorite carols from The Bach Choir’s “Christmas in Bethlehem” recordings, Volumes 2 and 4, and from “A Child’s Christmas in Bethlehem.”

Of the Child’s Love Begotten
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Sleep Well, Thou Child of God Composed by Choir member, David Umla
On Christmas Night | The Sussex Carol

Click the image below for our Moment of Comfort, featuring Bach’s Nun Komm, Vom Himmel hoch, Der Tag der ist so Freudenreich and Johann Pachelbel’s Toccata in G Minor.

Please click the image to enjoy Greg’s introduction and these seasonal favorites.

Our Moment includes a chorale prelude from Georg Friederich Kauffmann, followed by selections from The Bach Choir’s 2018 recording of Handel’s Ode for Saint Cecilia’s Day.

Click on the image below to enjoy this uplifting Moment of Comfort.

Please click the image for a video from Greg.  It begins with him playing a Bach “Orgelbuchlein” setting of the famous hymn tune “O thou who trusts in God to guide Thee” on which the No.9 chorus is based, and continues with the Choir’s performance of the No. 9 Chorus from Cantata 21.

Note: The link below is to the Choir’s recording only.

Greg Funfgeld introduces these pieces from Kristina Moditch, joined by some of her fellow students at the Central Music School at The Moscow Conservatory.  A breathtaking performance – enjoy!

What an extraordinary young pianist!    Please enjoy this beautiful “Moment” by Kristina Moditch.

J.S. Bach: Piano Partita No 2 in C Minor, BWV 826

Greg Funfgeld introduces these pieces by talking about the challenging repertoire represented by Bach’s Sanctus, and the talented young people who joined with The Bach Choir to perform this polyphonic music of the Baroque era. Following that, a stirring rendition of “An UnClouded Day” by some 200 singers offers you an uplifting “Moment.”

Our 2019 Family Concert offered a Youth Choirs Festival, and included a performance of Handel’s Zadok the priest, with the youth choirs joining The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra to perform this majestic coronation anthem.

Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld welcomes the fall season with these selections from harpsichordist Charlotte Mattax Moersch.

Charlotte has been featured many times as a soloist at our annual Bethlehem Bach Festival, including a performance of the Goldberg Variations at our 2018 Festival.  Here, she performs the Adagio and Allegro from Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964, Chorale BWV 728 Jesus meine Zuversicht, and the Sarabande from Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825, all recorded in the Memorial Room at Smith Memorial Hall in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Greg Funfgeld welcomes back soprano Katherine Kaiser to our Moment of Comfort, offering two pieces, from J.S. Bach and Stephen Sondheim.

Enjoy this magnificent organ performance from one of our Choir members, tenor Bryan Holten.

 

Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld introduces his extraordinary colleague, Loretta O’Sullivan, principal cellist of the Bach Festival Orchestra, as she plays Passacaglia, from Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber.

We’re pleased to present this Moment of Comfort featuring The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

Performing:
Dona Nobis Pacem | Paul Carey
Peace Like a River | Traditional/Arr. Joy Hirokawa

We hope you enjoy this Moment of Comfort

We are so pleased to bring you this Moment of Comfort, featuring our own
Charlotte Mattax Moersch.
Charlotte has been an essential member of our Bach family, playing the Harpsichord and the Continuo Organ since the 1980’s. Here, she performs the opening and closing movements from Bach’s French Suite V in G Major. These two movements are favorites of Charlotte and were recorded in the Memorial Room at Smith Memorial Hall in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Please click the image for the introduction and video of this exquisite music that offers – in Greg’s words – “great comfort and peace.”

Bach Festival Orchestra Concertmaster Elizabeth Field performs a movement from Bach’s  Violin Sonata in G Major, accompanied on harpsichord by Artistic Director and Conductor, Greg Funfgeld.

Soloist Dashon Burton sings three verses of Franz Schubert’s evocative Litanei, recorded in the sanctuary of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown.

Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld introduces this “Moment,” as it addresses  the human condition and it’s greatest sorrows and tragedy. The translated text appears beneath the video.

Litanei

Rest in peace, all souls
who have done with anxious torment,
who have ended a sweet dream
satiated with life, hardly born,
gone over from the world:
all souls rest in peace!

The souls of lovely girls,
whose tears are not to be counted,
deserted by a false friend,
and cast out by the blind world,
all who have departed
all souls rest in peace!

And those upon whom the sun never smiled
who under the moon lay sleepless upon thorns
that in the clear light of heaven
they might one day see God face-to-face
all who have departed
all souls rest in peace.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra spread the message of hope with four uplifting works, including Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb on our Songs of Hope CD.

The texts of Songs of Hope are moving affirmations of hope in the face of adversity. These amazing words resonate with the longing for peace and healing in our own time.

Click HERE to purchase a CD!

Soloists
Rosa Lamoreaux, Soprano
Daniel Taylor, Countertenor
Benjamin Butterfield, Tenor
William Sharp, Baritone

 

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra spread the message of hope with this specially commissioned piece by the late Stephen Paulus:  A Dream of Time.  Written and presented in celebration of Greg Funfgeld’s 25th Anniversary as Artistic Director and Conductor, this is one of four songs on our Songs of Hope CD.

Click HERE to purchase a CD!

Soloists
Rosa Lamoreaux, Soprano
Daniel Taylor, Countertenor
Benjamin Butterfield, Tenor
William Sharp, Baritone

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra spread the message of hope with four uplifting works, including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms on our Songs of Hope CD.

The texts of Songs of Hope are moving affirmations of hope in the face of adversity. These amazing words resonate with the longing for peace and healing in our own time.

Click HERE to purchase a CD!

Soloists
Rosa Lamoreaux, Soprano
Daniel Taylor, Countertenor
Benjamin Butterfield, Tenor
William Sharp, Baritone

Once again, Greg Funfgeld welcomes his friend and colleague, Eugene Albulescu, who performs Preludes and Fugues in G Major, BMV 884 from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II.

Book 1 was published in 1722 – the 300th anniversary is almost here!

As Greg mentions in his remarks ,”Bach’s music is particularly suited to these times….”

We hope you enjoy.

Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld offers three Bach Chorales, played on the organ at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown.

The 5000-pipe Ernest M. Skinner organ with 4 manuals and more than 80 stops is one of the most outstanding instruments in the region.  It’s our pleasure to make our summer home at St. John’s and be treated to this outstanding instrument.

Schübler Chorales

Nr. 1 – Wachet auf! Ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
“Sleepers Wake! A voice is calling”

Nr. 2 – Wo soll ich fliehen hin? – BWV 646
“Whither should I flee?”

Nr. 3 – Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten – BWV 647
“If thou but trust in God to guide thee”

Greg Funfgeld introduces his friend, Eugene Albulescu, Director of the Lehigh University Philharmonic Orchestra. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is grateful to Eugene for offering his gifts to us, which we share with you as today’s “Moment of Comfort.”

J.S. Bach:
Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 850 (from WTC Book 1)
Concerto nach Italienischen Gusto BWV 971 Second Movement Andante

From The Choir’s 2003 U.K. Tour, Greg Funfgeld introduces Daniel Taylor, countertenor,  and presents Agnus Dei and Dona nobis pacem from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, recorded at King’s College, Cambridge.

From The Choir’s 2003 U.K Tour, Greg Funfgeld introduces Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano, and Elizabeth Field, Concertmaster, and presents Laudamus Te, from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, recorded at King’s College, Cambridge.

Greg Funfgeld introduces J.S. Bach’s “World Farewell,” our annual tradition at The Bethlehem Bach Festival to honor the members of our Bach Choir family we have lost over the past year, and offer comfort to those feeling loss and sadness at this time.

Greg Funfgeld offers some thoughts about cancelling The Bethlehem Bach Festival, and introduces this lovely and uplifting piece, Sonata in E-Flat Major,  from Robin Kani, principal flutist.

Greg Funfgeld introduces his colleague and dear friend, Loretta O’Sullivan,  who performs two movements from Bach’s 1st  Cello Suite in G Major, offering moments of “comfort, consolation and hope.”

Recorded by WWFM at our 2018 Spring Concert, A Celebration of the Choral Art, at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. March 18, 2018.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra.

Play 20180318 Bach - O Jesu Christ Meine Lebens Lichts BWV118 (3) (1)

Please click the image for a video from Greg Funfgeld and Bridget George, offering thoughts, updates and good news about our upcoming Season, along with the music of J.S. Bach.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude in C Major

Please click the image for a video from Greg Funfgeld with Katherine Kaiser, featuring these beautiful pieces from Bach, and a message of comfort, consolation and hope from Greg and our Choir family to our community.

J.S. Bach

Sarabande from the French Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major 

Aria: Bist du bei mir (If you are at my side) from Anna Magdelena Bach Notenbüchlein

Recorded by The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, December, 2016

Play 1-BCB-ChristmasOratorioPt5No43

 

 

 

Please click the image for a video from Greg, featuring these beautiful pieces from Bach, and a message from Greg and our Choir family to our community.

J.S. Bach

Christmas Oratorio Part 1 – Movement 5 – (Passion Chorale) “Wie soll ich dich empfangen” (How can I fitly greet Thee)

French Suite No. 5 in G major BWV 816Allemande and Sarabande 

Listen to Cantata BWV 191, performed by The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Bach Festival Orchestra.

Play 25-Cantata-BWV-191_-I.-Gloria-In-Ex

Listen to Gloria Patri, the final chorus of Bach’s Magnificat, recorded at The Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s Christmas Concert, December 2019.

Play Magnificat In D Major, BWV 243: XII. Gloria Patri

Listen to ‘Comfort ye’ – Isaiah Bell, tenor. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Christmas Concert, December 2019.

Play 03 Handel_Messiah, Part I_Recitative; Comfort ye (1) (3)

Listen to ‘Ev’ry Valley’ – Isaiah Bell, tenor. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Christmas Concert, December 2019.

Play 04 Handel_Messiah, Part I_Aria; Ev'ry valley (1)