In 1968, as Holy Trinity Lutheran Church marked its 100th birthday, it set out to celebrate its history and the rich tradition of music in the Lutheran Church. Drawing from the high level of music performance in the City of New York, “Evenings with Johann S” was established, based on the ancient Christian service of Vespers. It was the first music series in the Western Hemisphere to present the cantatas of the great Lutheran composer Johann Sebastian Bach within a liturgical context.
52 years, hundreds of performances and two Grammy nominations later, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity continues to present Bach’s cantatas and other great Baroque and early music masterworks every Sunday evening from October to May.
The Bach Choir and Players (on period instruments) are composed of some of the finest early musicians in the nation. As part of an ongoing commitment to developing baroque and early music in the city of New York, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity and its parent organization Holy Trinity Lutheran Church host concerts by several of New York-based early music ensembles including House of Time, and have maintained a close partnership with the Historical Performance department at the Juilliard School.
Beginning in 2020, noted organist, conductor and early music scholar Diane Meredith Belcher has been appointed as Director of Music.