Performance of Bach Cantata BWV 30

As part of the “Rondom de Cantates” series, Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantata “Freue dich, erlöste Schar,” BWV 30, will be performed on Saturday, October 3.
This cantata is one of Bach’s later church cantatas. It is an elaborate cantata, written for the feast of St. John the Baptist. This is clearly audible in the festive and gallant-sounding music. It is also not surprising that Bach used the music from a secular inauguration cantata he had previously composed for this piece. The key of D major, which dominates the work, contributes to its festive and triumphant character. Bach also used this key in several other pieces of music that will be performed in this concert. In addition to the cantata, you will also hear by J.S. Bach: “Prelude and Fugue in D” from the first book of *The Well-Tempered Clavier* and the choral piece “Psallite Deo nostro in laetitia” (a parody of “Sicut locutus est” from J.S. Bach’s Magnificat), also in D. The program also features the beautiful tenor aria “Ach, ziehe die Seele mit Seilen der Liebe” from Cantata BWV 96.

Performers:
The Amersfoort Cantata Choir and Orchestra (concertmaster Hans Lub)
Paula Bär-Giese (soprano)
Maria den Hertog (alto)
Stefan Berghammer (tenor)
Vincent Berger (bass-baritone)
Henk van Zonneveld (organ)

Entirely conducted by Paul Valk

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier Church, ’t Zand 29, Amersfoort
Admission: €10.00 (free for those under 18). Reservations via: www.rondomdecantates.nl