So exclaimed Esther Yoo as she conducted the opening Sinfonia from Bach Cantata 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, in the spacious Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. As you can see by the photo above, my little organ is placed front and center and gosh! It sounds absolutely gorgeous in there. Having heard the organ in the small confines of my apartment versus in the huge Cathedral with its cavernous acoustics, marble floors and reredos makes a HUGE difference!

I couldn’t help but think how excited Carl Crosier would have reacted to hearing Bach in this ambient space, and the Oahu Choral Society Chamber Choir is sounding absolutely fantastic! I do believe this is the very first time that the works of Bach have been performed in this space—and I can’t get over how fantastic it sounds! Can’t you tell how stoked I am!

And you thought I was jaded by all those 70 Bach cantatas, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio and B Minor Mass that we performed in the intimate acoustics of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Members of the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra are performing with the Chamber Choir—it felt good to be performing continuo alongside cellist Karen Fujimoto again, just like the old days.

In fact, we turned to each other about the same time, and remembered with fondness all the times we played continuo under Carl.

The program is:

Bach, Komm, Jesu Komm, BWV 229
Bach, Singet dem Herrn, BWV 225
intermission
Howells, Requiem
Bach, Cantata 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden

It will be a fantastic concert—you’ll not want to miss it!