First in the series is Cantata 109 “Ich Glaube, Lieber Herr” (I have Faith, O Dear Lord) and an organ work of Bach played by CBC accompanist and Christ Church organist Karla Fowkes. Mezzo-Soprano Sara Snider Schone and Tenor James Harr join the Bach Choir in the performance of the cantata. The cantata is inspired by the Gospel reading from John 4:46-54, which deals with the question of belief. Harr sings the role of Doubt and Snider Schone the role of Faith.
The cantata was written during this time of the Church year (ordinary time), during Bach’s first year in Leipzig where he was charged to compose a new cantata for nearly every Sunday of the year. Cantata 109 was first performed on October 17, 1723.