St Andrew's Cathedral celebrates the 500th anniversary of The Reformation with music this weekend.

Reformation Sunday - 29th October 2017 – marks 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the Wittenberg church door.  As the world observes the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, St Andrew's Cathedral, Australia’s oldest Cathedral, celebrates this extraordinary day with the cantata written especially for Reformation Sunday itself, with words by Martin Luther.

During the 10.30 service, the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir of boys and men, will join with The Ancient Academy of St Andrew’s, our historical-instrument orchestra, in bringing to its congregation into JS Bach's monumental celebration cantata no. 80: 'A Mighty Fortress'.

"Some of Australia’s best voices perform the arias that feature in these beautiful pieces of sacred music, and beside the ancient strings, bold brass and young voices, the music of sounds resplendent, happily resounding off our sandstone walls," said Ross Cobb, Director of Music at St Andrew's Cathedral.

The sermon will be delivered by Australia's foremost expert on the Reformation, the Rev. Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College, Sydney.

Cantata BWV 80, to be performed on Reformation Sunday, will feature the following internationally renowned soloists performing the arias: 

- Penelope Mills: soprano

- Jonathan Borg: countertenor

- Michael Butchard: tenor

- Christopher Richardson: bass

A feast for the heart and for the mind, and within the context of the morning service. 

All welcome!

Cost: Absolutely free with light refreshments following the service. 

Where: St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. Corner George & Bathurst Streets (beside Town Hall)

When:  10:30am-12noon, Sunday 29 October 2017

Bach at the Cathedral series then continues in December with Bach Cantata BWV 140: Sleepers Awake being performed on Advent Sunday 3 December 2017  

What is a Cantata?  Ross Cobb, Director of Music at St Andrew’s Cathedral & National President of the Royal School of Church Music Australia, explains:

A cantata is a sacred piece of music based on that cornerstone of the Protestant world – the hymn. The musical material and the interpretation of the text are directly related to the hymn.  Bach’s choir at St Thomas’ in Leipzig was about the same size as our Cathedral Choir and his choristers were also provided by the church school, just like ours are from St Andrew’s Cathedral School. We are blessed that we can present this work just as Bach intended – sung by a choir of boys and men, played on period instruments and performed within the context of the Sunday service.