Published June 28. 2026 01:33AM<\/p>\n
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Unitas Chorale unite again at \u201cBach at Noon,\u201d noon July 14, St. John\u2019s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, the Moravian Music Foundation\u2019s Unitas Chorale and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem are partnering to present Johann Friedrich Peter\u2019s \u2018Psalm of Joy,\u2019\u201d says Kyle Johnston, Unitas Chorale Interim Director and Moravian Music Foundation Associate Director.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndividuals who missed our May 8 performance during the Bach Choir\u2019s 118th Bethlehem Bach Festival now have an additional opportunity to enjoy this celebratory work,\u201d Johnston says.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Psalm of Joy\u2019 is a 1783 collection of chorales and anthems compiled by Moravian composer Johann Friedrich Peter [1746-1813] and performed at the first Independence Day celebration by Moravians in Salem, N.C.,\u201d says Johnston. It is believed to be the first organized July 4th celebration in the nation.<\/p>\n
When the Moravians in North Carolina received a letter from Governor Alexander Martin (circa 1739 – 1807) proclaiming July 4th a day of celebration and thanksgiving, the Moravians turned to music.<\/p>\n
Rather than revel in victory; however, it was the return of peace that spoke to them and inspired the music of the joyful work. Whether it is in regard to the end of armed conflicts or a respite from the chaos of everyday life, the message of gratitude, peace, and joy endures.<\/p>\n
Born in Holland and educated in Germany, Peter emigrated to America in 1770 and was music director at Moravian communities in Pennsylvania; Salem, N.C.; Maryland, and New Jersey.<\/p>\n
Explains Johnston: \u201c\u2018Psalm of Joy\u2019 consists of 17 different movements. The majority are four-part hymns which were likely sung by congregations.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the second movement, \u2018Es ist ein Tag,\u2019 is a larger scale work by Moravian composer Christian Gregor [1723-1801].\u201d<\/p>\n
Gregor, a prolific composer, was an organist, minister and bishop. Considered one of the most influential musicians of the Moravian Church, he was in Pennsylvania and North Carolina communities from 1770-1772.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn celebration of \u2018America250,\u2019 the Moravian Music Foundation\u2019s goal is to perform \u2018Psalm of Joy\u2019 in as many of the areas of the early Moravian settlements as possible,\u201d says Johnston.<\/p>\n
Unitas Chorale will perform \u201cPsalm of Joy\u201d July 11 at \u201cEaston Heritage Day,\u201d July 11. Information: https:\/\/heritageday.org\/easton-heritage-day\/<\/p>\n
The Moravian Music Foundation is in search of a Music Director for the Unitas Chorale. For information, contact Executive Director Christopher Ogburn at christopher@moravianmusic.org<\/p>\n
Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Unitas Chorale, \u201cBach at Noon,\u201d noon July 14, St. John\u2019s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown. Information: 610-866-4382; https:\/\/bach.org<\/p>\n
\u201cClassical View\u201d is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com<\/p>\n
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOMoravian Music Foundation Unitas Chorale.<\/p>\n
None<\/p>\n
Kyle Johnston<\/p>\n
None<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Published June 28. 2026 01:33AM The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Unitas Chorale unite again at \u201cBach at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":230125,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[153,155,154],"class_list":["post-230124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230124\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/230125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}