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History & Mission: |
In 1993, Dr. Thomas Schmidt, Cantor at Saint Peter's since 1990, founded the Basically Bach at Saint Peter's Pestival, a weekend festival of organ and instrumental recitals in the afternoon and an evening concert with choir and orchestra.
Since 1993, Saint Peter's Church has presented a festival of music honoring J.S. Bach. Not only is this a celebration of the great music of the Leipzig master and his era, but for Saint Peter's Church it is also a celebration of the life and faith of the greatest composer of the Lutheran tradition, a tradition which lives on today at Saint Peter's Church.
The organ recitals are played on Saint Peter's Klais organ, a 32-stop tracker-action instrument which is ideal for the performance of Bach's works, and an instrument which has been lauded for its sensitive, beautiful voicing by performers and listeners alike. Each year the festival has presented some of the world's finest performers, including John Weaver, Joan Lippincott, Walter Hilse, McNeil Robinson, Felix Hell, and many others.
The Festival Concerts feature cantatas and orchestral works by the Leipzig Master. Sung by both professional and amateur voices, these works are offered to the public in a church setting where they are also performed on Sundays as part of the congregational worship life. |
