Leipzig: Thomaskirche

Leipzig is my favourite city in Germany. It's smaller than most big cities, yet it's still a city. It's charming, it has lots of history, it has character, and it has many things to do and see.

But much more important than that, is that it's where Johann Sebastian Bach lived for 23 years, and it's where his musical career flowered as Thomaskantor at the Thomaskirche.

Shortly after our arrival in Leipzig this afternoon, Paul & I went to the Thomaskirche, and lo and behold, we came minutes after the Thomanerchor had started a performance. We were graciously allowed to enter the church, even though we were late. And we were treated to a musical treat that I will not soon forget. Here are the songs the choir sang:

Unser Leben währet 70 Jahren (based on Psalm 90:10), by Sethus Calvisius (1556-1615); Christus is das Gesetzes Ende, by Johann Schelle (1648-1701); Gott hat uns nicht gesetzt zum Zorn, Johann Kuhnau (1660-1772); and the highlight, Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn (Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750).

The performance was sandwiched in between a few organ pieces at the beginning, an Ansprache (homily), various Gemeindelieder (congregational songs), and liturgical canticums and prayers. Before the organist ended the program with a piece entitled Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707), we also recited the Our Father prayer together.

After the program, I took a few pictures (before going to the Bach-store to buy some cd's). :)

Thomaskirche

Thomanerchor

Neo-Gothic Arches















Nave















Outside the Thomaskirche, in front of a J S Bach statue



















Today's WM scores:
France 2 - Togo 0
Switzerland 2 - Korea 0
Spain 1 - Saudi Arabia 0
Ukraine 1 - Tunisia 0