A splendid performance by Thomanerchor, Leipzig, Germany, with Andreas Reize, Thomanerchor Conductor, at the podium in Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, enthralled a sold-out audience March 8 for the Bach Choir of Bethlehem 2025 Gala Concert & Fundraiser.

The 51-voice a cappella boys choir sang 13 liturgical works spanning the centuries, from “Ich freue mich im Herren” (“I Will Greatly Rejoice in the Lord”) by Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630) to “Cantate Domino” by John Rutter (b.1945) from “Psalmfest” (1996), which concluded the scheduled program.

The concert included several works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Reize was appointed Thomaskantor in 2021, the 18th successor to J.S. Bach (Thomaskantor, 1723-1750) at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig.

You’ve never heard Bach sung until you’ve heard the Thomanerchor sing Bach, especially in the acoustically-pristine Central Moravian Church. The enthusiasm of the vocalists from grades 4 to 12 could not be denied. Moreover, the care, respect, talent, preparation and precision of the Thomanerchor was evident throughout the concert.

The Thomanerchor was joined on several pieces by The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

As Bach Choir of Bethlehem Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Christopher Jackson pointed out in his program notes, the Thomanerchor concert represented a full circle for Bethlehem, where the first performances of Bach’s works took place, dating to 1823, with the Bach Choir giving the first complete performance in America of Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” in 1900.

“To have the Thomanerchor, Bach’s own choir, returning to us in this hallowed ground is a confluence of tradition, culture, and community that is truly remarkable,” Jackson wrote.

The Thomanerchor performed the next day, March 9, in Carnegie Hall, New York City.

The sumptuous Gala Dinner at Hotel Bethlehem after the concert included remarks by Jackson, Bach Choir of Bethlehem President Harold G. Black and Bach Choir of Bethlehem Executive Director Leela Breithaupt.

Attendees from the City of Leipzig included Dr. Skadi Jennicke, Deputy Mayor for Cultural Affairs; Dr. Gabriele Goldfuss, Head of Office for International Affairs, and Dr. Michael Maul, Artistic Director of Bachfest Leipzig.

The dinner was in support of Bach Choir youth and community-engagement programs.

The Gala Committee included Joan Miller Moran, Honorary Chair, and Phyllis H. Gibson, Stephen P. Link, Rev. Raymond Malec, Jane Pearson, Martha Cox Popichak and Ebony Stevens.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem presents Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil,” 4 p.m. March 30, First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem. Tickets: Bach Choir office, 440 Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem; office@bach.org; 610-866-4382, ext. 110, 115; https://bach.org/tickets/