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Concert Bach Cantate Zuiderkerk Enkhuizen

22 February 2026
- 17:00

On Sunday 22 March at 5 pm there will be a Lutheran Cantata Vespers in the Zuiderkerk in Enkhuizen. The Enkhuizer Bach Ensemble conducted by Jerry Korsmit will perform the Bach cantata ‘Jesus nahm zu zich die Zwölfe’ (BWV 22).

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote this cantata in 1722 as an application for the position of cantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. “Jesus takes the Zwölfe” had to be a work that would convince the application committee of Bach’s abilities.

The cantata is short because the sermon was followed by another, and the ensemble is small: a string orchestra and an oboe. But the music is impressive. After a plaintive orchestral introduction, the bass sings the text from the Gospel of the day: “We go up to Jerusalem, and all that has been written by the prophets will be accomplished.” Suddenly, the choir joins in with a fast and difficult fugue. The soloists also encounter challenging passages later in the cantata. Bach not only wanted to convince them that he could compose, but apparently also wanted to know what the choir had to offer.

Apparently, it worked. He was accepted and remained cantor in Leipzig until his death in 1750. Fortunately!

The cantata forms the climax of the vespers, which will also feature the motet ‘Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt’ by Heinrich Schütz.

Admission is free, but because the costs for a cantata are high, please make a generous contribution to the collection or via the QR code on the liturgy.