John Nelson to Conduct Chicago Bach Project's MASS IN B-MINOR with All-New Lineup of Vocal Soloists

SDG Music Foundation's 2016 Chicago Bach Project concert will feature J. S. Bach's monumental "Mass in B Minor," BWV 232, with Grammy Award-winner John Nelson conducting an all-new cast of soloists and the Chicago Bach Choir and Orchestra.

The one-night-only performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016, at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

"Mass in B Minor" soloists will include soprano Kathryn Lewek, mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore, tenor John McVeigh, and bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch. All are making their Chicago Bach Project debuts.

Prior to the "Mass in B Minor" performance, the choir under chorus master Donald Nally will give the U.S. premiere of "Laudate," commissioned by SDG Music Foundation for its Psalms Project. The contemplative a cappella choral work, set in Latin, was composed by John Metcalf, founder and artistic director of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival in Wales.

Now in its sixth season, the Chicago Bach Project has staged world-class productions of one of J. S. Bach's towering sacred masterworks each spring since 2011. The rotating cycle launched with a sold-out performance of the "St. Matthew Passion" conducted by Nelson, who is SDG's founding artistic director. Nelson also conducted the project's 2012 "St. John Passion," 2013 "Mass in B Minor," 2014 "St. Matthew Passion," and 2015 "St. John Passion."

The 2016 performance returns to Bach's final crowning achievement, the "Mass in B Minor," which many consider the greatest composition in Western classical music. Although completed in 1749, the work was never performed in its entirety during the composer's lifetime and did not receive its first full performance until over 100 years later in 1859. The work moves far beyond its liturgical origins in scale and offers some of Bach's most profound and beautiful music.

Free Pre-Concert Events March 1 and 7

New to this year's Chicago Bach Project is a series of pre-concert events, produced by SDG Music Foundation and free to the public, to be held in the recital hall of PianoForte Chicago, 1335 South Michigan Ave., Chicago.

A panel discussion on "The Mass as Musical Form" will take place from 5:30-6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. Panelists will be announced shortly.

Conductor Nelson will offer "A Bach Briefing" from 5:30-6:45 pm. on Monday, March 7. Nelson will demonstrate themes from the "Mass in B Minor" at the piano and offer insights into Bach's work.

While both events are free to the general public, seating is limited. Pre-registration is required by emailing sdg@sdgmusic.org or phoning (630) 983-4300, ext. 400.

Single ticket prices for the "Mass in B Minor" concert are $25 to $55. Tickets are available online at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, by phone at (312) 334-7777, or in person at the Harris Theater Box
Office, 205 E. Randolph Drive.

Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Students may purchase up to two discounted tickets with valid student I.D. at the Harris Theater box office. Special group discounts for students and seniors are available through SDG Music Foundation, 630-984-4300. For more information, go to www.ChicagoBachProject.org.

SDG Music Foundation, founded in 1993, is a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation, performance, and promotion of classical sacred music inspired by the Bible in the Christian and Jewish traditions. To date, SDG Music Foundation has commissioned 37 original works of sacred music from 25 composers of nine nationalities. It also sponsors concerts and recordings on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc. SDG Music Foundation's world headquarters is at 800 Roosevelt Road, Suite A100, Glen Ellyn, Ill. Phone (630) 984-4300. Website: www.sdgmusic.org.

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