Mar6

Bach in Baltimore: Elijah

Baltimore Hebrew Congregation , 7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD

Under the direction of T. Herbert Dimmock, four talented soloists–Elissa Edwards, Soprano; Kristen Dubenion-Smith, Alto; Ben Ellerin, Tenor; and Carl DuPont, Bass–the full Bach in Baltimore Choir & Orchestra bring the Hebrew Biblical story of the prophet Elijah to life.

Elijah, Mendelssohn’s most famous oratorio, was heavily inspired by the cantatas of J.S. Bach. Mendelssohn’s keen musicological recovery and revival efforts throughout the nineteenth century resurrected the music of J.S. Bach back into the public psyche. After Bach’s death, his music fell out of style and was relegated to music students and practice studios rather than in concert halls for public enjoyment. Mendelssohn famously brought Bach back into fashion with his knockout performance of the St. Matthew Passion.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah is a thrilling, soaring work whose structure calls to mind the sacred music of Bach that so enthused and inspired him. Acclaimed from its first premiere in 1846, this Elijah alone has cemented Mendelssohn’s place in history as one of the greatest composers of sacred music.