The Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with J. S. Bach’s great Reformation Day cantata, Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80 (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”) led by Director of Music Carlton Monroe. This cantata will be the centerpiece of the Bach Vespers on Sunday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Cantata 80 is one of the true masterpieces of the cantata repertoire. It features the familiar hymn tune for which it is named in nearly every movement, in variations which highlight Bach’s genius and creativity.

Soloists will include Melissa Harvey, Lauren McAlister, Jason Vest and Hayden Smith, along with the instrumentalists of the Bach Ensemble. The Bach Ensemble will perform the cantata the following week in a special outreach service at First Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky, as part of that congregations celebration of the Reformation.