Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@collegium_cincy presented a rare treat as part of the 2026 Cincinnati Early Music Festival at @christchurchcathedralcincy – an opportunity to hear some of the best examples of standalone choral writing by Johann Sebastian Bach in four of the six motets which survive in his name, sung by an ensemble of twelve of some of the finest rising stars in the Cincinnati choral scene, assembled by artistic director Matthew Phelps and Krista Cornish Scott (@crunchy.kj) and accompanied by Dr. Michael Unger on continuo organ.
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226) and Komm, Jesu, komm (BWV 229) were stellar examples of the double choir format which had been in vogue in Venice combined with the German Baroque harmonic trappings which were Bach’s stock in trade, and the assembled singers brought both of those in spades this evening. These were interspersed with fine performances by cellist Tom Guth and violinist Manami White of three selections from Bach’s solo suites and sonatas for violin and cello, Guth playing from the floor of the nave, White from two different places higher up in the sanctuary.
The two featured motets for five voices, Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 227) and Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230) were sung sensuously, yet possessing a wonderfully intimate quality about them. As Jesu, meine Freude was the most extensive motet in the program, there were a number of opportunities for solo voices to shine through in three and four-part vocal combinations. The more challenging sections of both of these motets occasionally ran into trouble spots which, to varying degrees, disrupted the flow of the music without stopping everything cold and proved to be relatively quick fixes.
Bach’s motets are among the most difficult of his small-scale choral works, so it may be easy to see why they rarely get performed today, let alone in the United States. But it certainly was a very enjoyable experience, one which I hope will inspire more groups in Cincinnati and the tristate area to program these works in future seasons. Bravo to all!