Bach at One

Trinity Church continues its century-old tradition of offering free midday music: On Wednesdays this fall, some of the country’s leading interpreters of baroque music — the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Trinity Choir, and organist Avi Stein — present a particularly special season of Bach at One. Opening with one of the master’s most loved choral works, the glorious Magnificat, the season will go on to explore the powerful and indelible connection between music, spirituality, and compassion.

October 2, 1pm – 2pm

Considered one of Christianity’s greatest statements of hope, the Magnificat is arguably Bach’s most popular choral work. Combining colorful orchestration with a large choir and many soloists, the jubilant Magnificat is based on the Canticle of Mary from Luke’s gospel, and centers God’s love for the poor, humble, and oppressed.

October 9, 1pm – 2pm

You love Bach, but do you know what Bach loved? In his last post as a music director in Leipzig, the composer wrote a vast number of cantatas, but he also directed a concert series — in a coffeehouse in winter and a beer garden in summer — that offers clues to his musical tastes. In addition to featuring works like George Frideric Handel’s fiery Concerto in D Minor, Bach’s concerts were graced by such visiting virtuosi as violinist Georg Pisendel, whose arrangement of Jean-Féry Rebel’s Les Caractères de la danse was a medley of the most popular French dances of the time. Bach’s fascination with French music is also represented here with a suite of opera hits by leading early-18th-century composer Jean-Philippe Rameau. Finally, the program includes the composer’s own Prelude and Fugue in E Minor.

October 16, 1pm – 2pm

Bach never wrote an opera. But what if he had? Close your eyes and imagine, listening to the closest approximation we have: the exquisite monologues and duets in his cantatas, such as Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust and Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen. The latter uses the sensual poetry of the Biblical Song of Songs to model a dialogue between Jesus, the expression of the divine, and Soul, embodying humanity. Performed by Elisse Albian, soprano; Elisa Sutherland, alto; Enrico Lagasca, bass; and Trinity Baroque Orchestra, led by organist Avi Stein.

October 23, 1pm – 2pm

Renewal: Shelter

Embrace hope at this special Bach at One, where you’ll hear both ancient and contemporary works that offer solace and a message of spiritual resilience. One of Bach’s most complex choral pieces, Jesu, meine Freude (“Jesus, my Joy”), poignantly reminds us that within God’s sheltering love, joy is still to be found, even in the midst of suffering. Here, Bach’s work is paired with two modern Gabriel Kahane pieces of the same title: We are the Saints. The first is the New York premiere of a choral work that grapples with our relationship with nature. The second, a world premiere arrangement of Kahane’s thought-provoking popular song, weaves personal narratives and social commentary into a compelling reflection on homelessness—the subject of Trinity’s 2024–25 NOVUS Renewal: Shelter series. Director of Music Melissa Attebury leads the Trinity Choir in this performance featuring soloist and composer Gabriel Kahane.

October 30, 1pm – 2pm

Divine Muse

Highlighting the connection between spirituality and creativity, this Bach at One is the first installment of Trinity’s Divine Muse series celebrating St. Cecilia, whose spirituality and martyrdom have inspired countless works of art, literature, and music. Director of Music Melissa Attebury will lead the Trinity Choir and Trinity Baroque Orchestra in a tribute that includes Bach’s Komm, Jesu, komm and Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, and Benjamin Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia — one of the best-known musical tributes to the saint. Composed in 1941 in the United States, the piece was confiscated by Customs before Britten embarked on a return to the United Kingdom; he rewrote the work while crossing the Atlantic. Attebury sees all the pieces of this program as “pointing to the indelible link between music and worship that is at the heart of our Trinity community.”

Doors open 30 minutes before the event start time. Please be advised that seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is highly recommended. 

Host or Publisher Trinity Church Wall Street