Luther College Collegium Musicum to perform in concert Nov. 4

Luther College Collegium Musicum will perform in concert Sunday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Decorah First Lutheran Church as part of the Buxtehude Vespers Concert. The event is to honor the 300th anniversary of the death of the celebrated North German composer and organist Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707).

The concert is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Featuring choral, instrumental and organ works of Buxtehude, concert performers will include Collegium Musicum directed by Kathryn Reed-Maxfield, Luther instructor in music; First Lutheran Chancel Choir directed by Timothy Peter, Luther professor of music, and Sandra Peter, Luther assistant professor of music; Luther College string players directed by Spencer Martin, Luther associate professor of music; organist Gregory Peterson, Luther assistant professor of music and college organist; and baritone soloist Andrew Whitfield, Luther assistant professor of music.

The choirs and string players will perform the cantata “Alles, was ihr tut mit Worten oder mit Werken” (“Whatsoe’er ye do, by word of mouth or by action”) with Whitfield. The choirs will also sing a festive “Alleluia” accompanied by strings and trumpets.

The string ensemble will perform a Buxtehude sonata, featuring the use of two Baroque violins. An organ Magnificat performed by Peterson will follow, then chorale preludes performed by the Collegium Musicum instrumental ensemble of viols and recorders.

By tradition of the “Abendmusik” performances, Sunday evening concerts of sacred music for which Buxtehude was famous, the audience will be invited to join in a chorale.

A German dinner will follow the concert in the church fellowship hall. Dinner is complementary. Contact the First Lutheran Church office at 382-2638 for reservations.

Conducted by Reed-Maxfield, the Collegium Musicum is an Early Music ensemble specializing in music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Braroque periods. The ensemble is audition-based. Members play modern instruments and learn early instruments such as the viol, recorder, harpsichord and lute.