Great Sacred Music

United States Army Chorus Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

Every Sunday morning, The Classical Station offers you over 4 and a half hours of inspiring sacred choral and organ music drawn from the traditions of many faiths. Pastor Alvin Rueter began broadcasting Sing for Joy in 1954. The program now with host Reverend Alexandra M. Jacob airs at 7:30 a.m. followed by Great Sacred Music at 8:00 a.m. Eastern.

Sing for Joy

Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m. Eastern

Sing for Joy features choral music from around the world. Produced by St. Olaf College, the program has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently “do the talking,” while the concise remarks from host Reverend M. Jacob illuminate the meaning of the texts.

Great Sacred Music

Sunday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon Eastern

We get your Sunday morning off to a gentle start in Hour 1 with a variety of shorter choral and organ works from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Then a Bach cantata airs at approximately 9:00 a.m.  A major choral work follows. A regular feature of the program is a commentary offered by a distinguished church musician or member of the clergy. Longer, major choral works such as oratorios, masses, and requiems air during hours 3 and 4. You can find links to detailed program notes in the schedule below.

Mick Anderson is your host.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email us at sacred@theclassicalstation.org

 

Spring 2024

March 3
Bach: Widerstehe doch der Sunde, BWV 54
Fasch: Jesu Passio Christi

March 10
Bach:  Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80a
Vivaldi: Stabat Mater

March 17
Bach:  Himmelskonig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
Dvořák: Stabat Mater

March 24
Bach: St. John Passion, BWV 245
Poulenc: Stabat Mater

March 31
Bach; Easter Oratorio, BWV 249
Handel: Highlights from Messiah

April 7
Bach: Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42
Puccini: Messa di Gloria

April 14
Bach: Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, BWV 112
Haydn: The Creation

April 21
Bach: Ihr werdet weinen und heulen, BWV 103:
Beach: Grand Mass in E Flat Major

April 28
Bach: Es ist euch gut, dass ich hingehe, BWV 108
Victoria: O Quam Gloriosum

May 5
Bach; Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86
Saint-Saens: Requiem

May 12
Bach: Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 44
Boccherini: Stabat Mater

May 19
Bach: Wer mich liebet, BWV 59
Brahms: A German Requiem

May 26
Bach: Hochsterwunschtes Freudenfest, BWV 194
Mozart: Coronation Mass

Winter 2023-24

December 3
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 36
Charpentier: In nativitatem Domini canticum

December 10
J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV 243
Carols and Hymns for Advent

December 17
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248
Carols and Hymns for Advent

December 24
Niagara Brass Ensemble: “Bach: Baroque Brass”
Handel: Messiah, Part I and Hallelujah Chorus

January 7
J.S. Bach Cantata BWV 16
Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 2 in B-flat, op. 52  (Lobgesang)

January 14
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 32
Hailstork: I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes

January 21
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 3
Scarlatti: The Cecilian Vespers

January 28
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 14
Vaughan Williams: Sancta Civitas

February 4
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 22
Verdi: Requiem

February 11
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 159
Zelenka: Requiem in C Minor

February 18
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 198
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54

February 25
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 118
Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626

Fall 2023

September 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 140 “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”
Franz Josef Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Commentary: Dr. Philip Cave

September 10
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 191 “Gloria in excelsis Deo”
Francis Poulenc: Gloria
Commentary: Dr. Al Sturgis

September 17
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 99 “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan”
Darius Milhaud: Sacred Service for the Sabbath Morning

September 24
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 8 “Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben”
Max Bruch: Moses

October 1
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 100 “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan”
Giachino Rossini: Petite messe solennelle
Commentary: Jessica Cooper

October 8
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 33
Felix Mendelssohn: Christus

October 15
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 164
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Great Mass in C Minor K. 427

October 22
Fall Membership Drive
Listener Favorites

October 29
Fall Membership Drive
Listener Favorites

November 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 125
Franz Schubert: Mass No. 2 in G D. 167

November 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 195
Antonio Vivaldi: Beatus Vir, RV 597

November 19
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 29
Anton Bruckner: Te Deum

November 26
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 61
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers

Summer 2023

June 4
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 129 “Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mass in C, K. 167 “Trinity”
Commentary: The Right Reverend Samuel Rodman

June 11
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 75 “Die Elenden sollen essen”
Alessandro Striggio: Missa Ecco si beato giorno
Commentary: Rabbi Darren Levine

June 18
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 2 “Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein”
Philippe Rogier: Missa Philippus Secundus Rex Hispaniae
Commentary: John Shelton Reed

June 25
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 21 “Ich hatte viel Bekummernis”
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sacred Service for Sabbath Eve, Op. 122
Commentary: Ed Futcher

July 2
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 24 “Ein ungefarbt Gemute”
Joseph Paine: Mass in D
Commentary: The Rev. Andrew Cannon

July 9
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 88 “Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden”
Jacob Obrecht: Missa Maria zart
Commentary: Andrew Peters

July 16
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 9″ Cantata BWV 9 “Es ist das Heil uns kommen her”
Charles Gounod: St. Cecilia Mass
Commentary: Dr. Susan Treacy

July 23
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 187
Anton Diabelli: Pastoral Mass in F, Op. 147
Commentary: Graham Ross

July 30
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 136 “Erforsche mich, Gott, und
erfahre mein Herz”

George Frederic Handel: Anthem for the Foundling Hospital
Commentary: Murray Somerville

August 6
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 194 “Hochsterwunschtes Freudenfest”
Johann David Heinichen: Mass No. 12 in D
Commentary: Matthew Oltman

August 13
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 101 Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott
Robert Schumann: Missa Sacra in C minor, Op. 147
Commentary: David Jernigan

August 20
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 179, “Siehe zu, dass deine Gottesfurcht”
Joseph Hector Fiocco: Missa Solemnis in D
Commentary: The Reverend Bob Innskeep

August 27
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 137 “Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren”
Alexander Grechaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op 59
Commentary: Dr. Ray Urwin

Spring 2023

March 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet BWV 227 “Jesus Meine Freude”
Camille Saint-Saëns: Messe de Requiem, Op. 54
Commentary: The Rev. Dr. Richard Pfaff

March 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 54 “Widerstehe doch der Sunde”
Heinz Ignaz Franz von Biber: Requiem a 15 in A
Commentary: John Whiteside

March 19
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata 182, “Himmelskonig, sei willkommen” BWV 182
Marcel Tyberg: Mass No. 1 in G
Commentary: Dr. David Lynch

March 26
Spring Membership Drive

April 2
Spring Membership Drive

April 9
Johann Sebastian Bach: Easter Oratorio BWV 249
Hector Berlioz: Te Deum
Commentary: The Right Reverend Michael Hunn

April 16
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata “”Halt im Gedachtnis Jesum Christ”” BWV 67
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mass in C, K. 66
Commentary: David Crabtree

April 23
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 112 “Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt”
Ariel Ramirez: Misa Criolla
Commentary: The Venerable David Sweeney

April 30
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 103 “Ihr werdet weinen und heulen …”
Franz Schubert: Mass in A flat
Commentary: The Rev. Bob Inskeep

May 7
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 108 “Es ist euch gut, dass ich hingehe … “
Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem
Commentary: Dr. Cory Evans

May 14
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 86 “Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch”
Rebecca Dale: Materna Requiem
Commentary: Daniel Bishop

May 21
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 183 “Sie werden euch in den Bann un … “
George Frederic Handel: Joshua
Commentary: Jackie Nappi

May 28
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 34 “O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe”
Fredrik Sixten: Requiem
Commentary: Richard A. Storck

Winter 2022-23

December 4
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 70 “Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!
Various: Italian Vespers (1612)
Commentary: Richard Webster
Playlist on Spotify

December 11
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 186 “Argre dich, o Seele, nicht”
Ignacio de Jerusalem: Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe
Commentary: Thomas Nutt-Powell
Playlist on Spotify

Lullabies and Carols
Playlist on Spotify

December 18
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 147 “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben”
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers
Commentary: Most Reverend Luis Zarama
Playlist on Spotify

December 25
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 191 “Gloria in excelsis”
Benjamin Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
Commentary: The Reverend Canon Jean Vail
Playlist on Spotify

January 1
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 190 “Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied”
Camille Saint-Saens: Oratorio de Noël
Commentary: Thomas Brown
Playlist on Spotify

January 8
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 58 “Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid”
A Procession for Epiphany
Commentary: Alan McLellan
Playlist on Spotify

January 15
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 13 “Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen”
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Missa Bruxellensis
Commentary: Daniel Bishop
Playlist on Spotify

January 22
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata “Herr, wie du willt, so schick’s mit mir” BWV 73
Claude Debussy: The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
Commentary: Dr. Murray Somerville
Playlist on Spotify

January 29
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata “Jesus schlaft, was soll ich hoffen” BWV 81
Ludwig van Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D, Opus 123
Commentary: Dr. Timothy Olsen

February 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 144 “Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin”
Josef Haydn: Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo
Josef Haydn: Mass in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Commentary: The Reverend Jane Florence

February 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 18 “Gleich wie der Regen und Schnee”
Havergal Brian: “Te Ergo Quaesumus” from Symphony no. 1 (Gothic)
Commentary: James H. Lazenby

February 19
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 127 “Herr Jesu christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott”
Franz Schubert: Mass No. 1 in F, D. 105
Commentary: Christopher Jacobson

February 26
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 177 “Ich ruf zu dire, Herr Jesu Christ”
Lorenzo Perosi: Passion According to Saint Mark
Commentary: The Reverend James Hodge

Fall 2022

September 4
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 35 “Geist und Seele wird verwirret”
Dan Locklair: Requiem
Commentary: Dr. Bob Chamberlin
Playlist on Spotify

September 11
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 164 “Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem, K. 626
Commentary: Andrew Scanlon
Playlist on Spotify

September 18
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 25Es ist nichts Gesundes an meinem Leibe
Giuseppe Verdi: Requiem
Commentary: The Very Reverend Amy McCreath
Playlist on Spotify

September 25
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 99 “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan”
Darius Milhaud: Sacred Service
Commentary: Daniel Bishop
Playlist on Spotify

October 2
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 27 “Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein Ende?”
Sergei Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil
Commentary: Dr. Nathan Leaf
Playlist on Spotify

October 9
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 148 “Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens”
Juan Garcia de Salazar: Vespers of Our Lady
Commentary: Bob Chapman
Playlist on Spotify

October 16
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 169 “Gott soll allein mein Herze haben”
Felix Mendelssohn: Lobesang
Commentary: Dr. Brian Schmidt
Playlist on Spotify

October 23
Membership Drive
Playlist on Spotify

October 30
Membership Drive

November 6
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 98 “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Grand Mass in C minor, K. 427
Commentary: David Jernigan
Playlist on Spotify

November 13
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 55 “Ich armer Mensch, ich Sundenknecht”
János Boksay: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Commentary: The Reverend Elizabeth Marie Melchionna
Playlist on Spotify

November 20
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 52 “Falsche Welt, Dir Trau ich Nicht”
George Frederic Handel: Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day
Commentary: William Weisser
Playlist on Spotify

November 27
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 62 “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”
Carols and Hymns for Advent
Commentary: The Reverend Mindy Douglas
Playlist on Spotify

Summer 2022

June 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172
Giacomo Rossini: Messa di Gloria
Commentary: William Weisser
Playlist on Spotify

June 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott BWV 129
Stephen Paulus: To be Certain of the Dawn
Commentary: The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
Playlist on Spotify

June 19
Johann Sebastian Bach: Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot BWV 39
Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir
Commentary: Lynn Huber
Playlist on Spotify

June 26
Johann Sebastian Bach: Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes BWV 76
John Knowles Paine: Saint Peter
Commentary: Robert Kennedy
Playlist on Spotify

July 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder BWV 135
Sir Edward Elgar: The Light of Life
Commentary: Dr. Thomas Nutt-Powell
Playlist on Spotify

July 10
Johann Sebastian Bach: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 177
Louis Vierne: Messe Solennelle
Commentary: The Right Reverend Peter Lee (1936-2022)
Playlist on Spotify

July 17
Johann Sebastian Bach: Wer nur den lieben Gott Läßt walten BWV 93
Franz Schmidt: Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln  (The Book with Seven Seals)
Commentary: Todd Wilson
Playlist on Spotify

July 24
Johann Sebastian Bach: Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust BWV 170
Ademar de Chabannes: Mass for St. Martial
Commentary: Jacqueline Nappi
Playlist on Spotify

July 31
Johann Sebastian Bach: Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht BWV 186
Various: A Venetian Coronation 1595
Commentary: David Chalmers
Playlist on Spotify

August 7
Johann Sebastian Bach: Wo Gott derr Herr nicht bei uns hält BWV 178
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Missa Dei Patris
Commentary: The Right Reverend Peter Lee (1938-2022)
Playlist on Spotify

August 14
Johann Sebastian Bach: Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort BWV 168
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
Commentary: Graham Ross
Playlist on Spotify

August 21
Johann Sebastian Bach: Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben! BWV 102
Karl Jenkins: The Peacemakers
Commentary: Dr. John Shelton Reed
Playlist on Spotify

August 28
Johann Sebastian Bach: Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut BWV 113
Simon McEnery: The Resurrection
Commentary: Jessica Fulkerson
Playlist on Spotify

Spring 2022

You can read about the Bach cantatas and each Sunday’s featured works by clicking on the links below. Find the detailed playlist for this week’s program by clicking on the date.  Listen to commentaries by clicking on the names of our distinguished guest commentators. When you are unable to listen to the program in real-time, you can listen to the music for each Sunday on Spotify.

March 6
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet Jesu Meine Freude BWV 227
Gaetano Donizetti: Messa da Requiem
Commentary: The Reverend Ian MacGregor
Playlist on Spotify

March 13
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet Fürchte dich nicht BWV 228
Orlando de Lassus: Missa pro defunctis
Commentary: Dr. Thomas Nutt-Powell
Playlist on Spotify

March 20
Spring Membership Drive

March 27
Spring Membership Drive

April 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Motet Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren BWV 231
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi: Stabat Mater
Commentary: Daniel Bishop
Playlist on Spotify

April 10
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Himmelskönig, sei willkommen BWV 182
Alexander Glazunov: King of the Jews
Commentary: Glen Mehrbach
Playlist on Spotify

April 17
Johann Sebastian Bach: Easter Oratorio Kommt, eilet und laufer BWV 249
Antonín Dvořák: Te Deum
Commentary: The Reverend Canon Jean Parker Vail
Playlist on Spotify

April 24
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbatas BWV 42
George Frederic Handel: La Resurrezione HW 47
Commentary: Mark Dirksen
Playlist on Spotify

May 1
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Ich bin ein guter Hirt BWV 85
Luigi Cherubini: Coronation Mass
Commentary: Dr. Joseph Causby
Playlist on Spotify

May 8
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen BWV 146
Anton Bruckner: Mass in F minor
Commentary: Alan McLellan
Playlist on Spotify

May 15
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166
Annibale Padovano: Messe à 24 Voix
Commentary: Dr. Susan Treacy
Playlist on Spotify

May 22
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Wo gehest du hin? BWV 87
François-Joseph Gossec: Te Deum
Commentary: Lee Nelson
Playlist on Spotify

May 29
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Sie werden euch in den Bann tun euch BWV 44
Domenico Cimarosa: Requiem
Commentary: Richard A. Storck
Playlist on Spotify

Winter 2021-2022

December 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 70
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Canticum in Nativitatem Domini
Commentary: The Reverend Mindy Douglas
Playlist on Spotify

December 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat BWV 243
Evensong for Advent sung by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Commentary: Thomas Nutt-Powell
Playlist on Spotify

December 19
George Frederic Handel: Messiah
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Minuit
Commentary: The Reverend Canon Jean Parker Vail
Playlist on Spotify

December 26
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 248, Part 2
Hector Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ
Playlist on Spotify

January 2
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 248, Part 5
George Frederic Handel: Dettingen Te Deum
Commentary: The Reverend Bob Innskeep
Playlist on Spotify

January 9
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 154
Michaelangelo Falvetti: Nabucco
Commentary: Alan McLellan
Playlist on Spotify

January 16
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 3
Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla: Missa Ego Flos Campi
Commentary: Christopher Jacobson
Playlist on Spotify

January 23
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 156
Jan Ladislav Dussek: Messe Solemnelle
Commentary: Dr. Larry Abernathy
Playlist on Spotify

January 30
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 14
Josef Haydn: Missa Solemnis
Commentary: The Reverend Richard Pfaff
Playlist on Spotify

February 6
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 83
Franz Liszt: Missa Choralis
Commentary: Dr. David Lynch
Playlist on Spotify

February 13
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 84
George Frederic Handel: Gideon
Commentary: Andrew Scanlon
Playlist on Spotify

February 20
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 181
Giovnni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Missa Benedicta es
Commentary: Rabbi Darren Levine
Playlist on Spotify

February 27
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 22
Joseph Jongen: Messe en L’Honneur du Saint-Sacrement
Commentary: The Reverend Canon Darwin Kirby, Jr.
Playlist on Spotify

Fall 2021

September 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 78
Darius Milhaud: Sacred Service
Commentary: Rabbi Eric Solomon
Playlist on Spotify

September 12
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 51
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Monsieur de Mauroy
Commentary: The Reverend Bob Innskeep
Playlist on Spotify

September 19
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 95
George Frederick Handel: Saul
Commentary: The Reverend Robin Arcus
Playlist on Spotify

September 26
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 19
Sir Michael Tippett: A Child of Our Time
Commentary: Dr. Nicolas Capozzoli
Playlist on Spotify

October 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 96
Dame Ethel Smyth: Mass in D
Commentary: David Jernigan
Playlist on Spotify

October 10
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 48
George Frederick Handel: Athalia
Commentary: Dr. Michael Accurso
Playlist on Spotify

October 17
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 49
Felix Mendelssohn: Lauda Sion
Commentary: Benedict Sheehan
Playlist on Spotify

October 24
Fall Membership Drive
Listener Favorites

October 31
Fall Membership Drive
Listener Favorites

November 7
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 163
Alexander Kastalsky: An Orthodox Christian Requiem
Commentary: Peter Richard Conte
Playlist on Spotify

November 14
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 60
Herbert Howells: Requiem
Commentary: Sir Stephen Cleobury
Playlist on Spotify

November 21
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 116
Arthur Sullivan: Te Deum
Commentary: William Weisser
Playlist on Spotify

November 28
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 36
Carols and Hymns for Advent
Commentary: Jeremy Thompson
Playlist on Spotify


Great Sacred Music is made possible by our listeners and the following people and organizations:

  • All Saints Anglican Church, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • The Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • First Presbyterian Church, Durham, North Carolina
  • The Kirk of Kildare, Cary, North Carolina
  • University Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Dr. & Mrs. Harold Chapman, Macon, Georgia
  • David Crabtree, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Ms. Ethel Girvin, Timberlake, North Carolina
  • Dr. Alfred Goshaw, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Dr. Jerry Grise, Cary, North Carolina
  • Mrs. Carole Keeler, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • The Rev. David Livingstone James, Cary, North Carolina
  • James H. Lazenby, Fearrington Village, North Carolina
  • William Marley, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Thomas Nutt-Powell, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Blaine Hall Paxton, Fearrington Village, North Carolina
  • William Raper of Trinity Concepts, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Carter Reed, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Claude and Sarah Snow, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

If you or your organization would like to be a patron of Great Sacred Music, e-mail Rob Kennedy

Summer 2021

June 6
J.S. Bach: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20
Franz Schubert: Mass in E-flat
Commentary: The Right Reverend Samuel Rodman
Playlist on Spotify

June 13
J.S. Bach: Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein, BWV 2
Sir Edward Elgar: The Kingdom
Commentary: Dr. Nathan Leaf
Playlist on Spotify

June 20
J.S. Bach: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21
Phillippe De Monte: Missa la Dolce Vista
Commentary: Robert Unger
Playlist on Spotify

June 27
J.S. Bach: Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185
Ludwig van Beethoven: Mass in C
Commentary: The Very Reverend Amy McCreath
Playlist on Spotify

July 4
J.S. Bach: Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88
Horatio Parker: Hora Novissima
Commentary: Dr. Zebulon Highben
Playlist on Spotify

July 11
J.S. Bach: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9
Amy Beach: Grand Mass in E flat
Commentary: Daniel Gawthrop
Playlist on Spotify

July 18
J.S. Bach: Was willst du dich betrüben, BWV 107
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber: Requiem à 15 in A Major
Commentary: David Chalmers
Playlist on Spotify

July 25
J.S. Bach: Wo Gott derr Herr nicht bei uns hält, BWV 178
J.S. Bach: The Passion According To Saint John, BWV 245
Commentary: Christopher Jacobson
Playlist on Spotify

August 1
J.S. Bach: Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht, BWV 105
Louis Vierne: Messe Solennelle
Commentary: Dan Locklair
Playlist on Spotify

August 8
J.S. Bach: Schauet doch und sehet, ob irgendein Schmerz sei, BWV 46
Josquin Des Prez: Missa L’Homme Armé
Commentary: Dr. Philip Cave
Playlist on Spotify

August 15
J.S. Bach: Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199
Antonio Salieri: La Passione di Gesù Cristo
Commentary: The Reverend Dr. Richard Pfaff
Playlist on Spotify

August 22
J.S. Bach: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137
Jules Massenet: Ève
Commentary: Dr. John Shelton Reed
Playlist on Spotify

August 29
J.S. Bach: Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, Lieben, BWV 77
Arthur Honegger: Le Roi David
Commentary: Tom Heaton
Playlist on Spotify

Spring 2021

March 7
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 54
George Frederic Handel: Israel in Egypt

March 14
J.S. Bach: Motet No. 3 BWV 227
Richard Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua

March 21
Spring Fund Drive

March 28
Spring Fund Drive

April 4
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 31
Hector Berlioz: Te Deum

April 11
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 67
Anton Bruckner: Te Deum

April 18
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 104
Benedict Sheehan: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

April 25
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 103
George Frederic Handel: Joshua

May 2
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 108
Joseph Rheinberger: Requiem No. 2 in E flat

May 9
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 86
Giacomo Puccini: Messa di Gloria

May 16
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 183
Karl Jenkins: Te Deum

May 23
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 59
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Te Deum

May 30
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 165
Alessandro Scarlatti: Il maritrio de St. Theodosia

Fall 2020

September 6
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 164
Antonín Dvořák: Saint Ludmilla

September 13
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 17
Ignacio Jerusalem: Mass in G “De Los Ninos”

September 20
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 100
Antonio Vivaldi: Juditha Triumphans

September 27
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 8
John Rutter: Requiem

October 4
J.S. Bach: Cantata BW 148
G.F. Handel: Esther

October 11
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 169
Josef Haydn: Il Ritorno di Tobia

October 18
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 56
Richard Danielpour: Toward a Season of Peace

October 25
Membership Drive
All-Request Great Sacred Music

November 1
Membership Drive
Listener Favorites

November 8
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 115
Louis Spohr: The Last Judgement

November 15
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 139
G.F. Handel: Nabal

November 22
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 26
Oskar Lindberg: Requiem, Opus 21

November 29
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 61
A Procession with Carols for Advent

Summer 2020

June 7
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 68
Francis Poulenc: Gloria

June 14
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 75
César Franck: Les Béatitudes

June 21
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 174
George Frederic Handel: Solomon

June 28
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 135
John Knowles Paine: Saint Peter

July 5
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 24
Franz Josef Haydn: The Creation

July 12
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 93
Felix Mendelssohn: Saint Paul

July 19
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 170
C.P.E. Bach: The Israelites in the Desert

July 26
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 187
Sir Edward Elgar: The Apostles

August 2
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 136
Charles Gounod: Mors et Vita

August 9
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 168
George Frederic Handel: Deborah

August 16
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 101
Emilio de’ Cavalieri: Rappresentatione di Anima, et di Corpo

August 23
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 113
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610

August 30
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 69a
Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Pilgrim’s Progress

Spring 2020

March 1
Bach: Cantata BWV 227
Sowerby: The Throne of God

March 8
Bach: St. Luke Passion BWV 246
Poulenc: Stabat Mater

March 15
Bach: Cantata BWV 54
Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ

March 22
Spring Membership Drive

March 29
Spring Membership Drive

April 5
Bach: Cantata BWV 248/5
Boccherini: Stabat Mater

April 12
Bach: Cantata BWV 4
MacMillan: Edinburgh Te Deum

April 19
Bach: Cantata BWV 42
Handel: La Resurrezione

April 26
Bach: Cantata BWV 112
Caplet: Le Miroir de Jesus

May 3
Bach: Cantata BWV 12
Haydn: Paukenmesse

May 10
Bach: Cantata BWV 166
Gawthrop: How Beautiful Upon the Mountains

May 17
Bach: Cantata BWV 17
Lloyd Webber: Requiem

May 24
Bach: Cantata BWV 11
Tyberg: Mass in G

May 31
Bach: Cantata BWV 218
Brahms: A German Requiem