Peace Cantata for the Peace Window in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig

Ann Gebuhr is composing a "Peace Cantata" (Friedenskantate) to be performed by choir, soloists and orchestra at the dedication of the new Peace Window (Friedensfenster) in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig on October 11, 2009. The Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association is seeking donors to help underwrite the commission of Professor Gebuhr. A goal of $15,000 has been set to cover the expenses of composition, reproduction, and travel expenses associated with the commission. Professor Gebuhr will donate all work associated with the composing of the cantata. Persons interested in helping may contact Pastor Robert Moore at robertmoore@ctkelc.org, president of the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association.

Ann Gebuhr is professor of music at Houston Baptist University, where she has taught for 31 years. Her formal studies in music were at the Indiana University (B.Mus., M.Mus. and Ph.D.). Ann is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church.

The distinguished Leipzig choir, amici musicae, under the direction of Ron-Kirk Entleutner will sing the cantata composed by Ann Gebuhr. The Friedenskantate is a 30-minute work in seven movements. The cantata is fashioned to approach four topics suggested by the committee overseeing the design and creation of the window: the peace of God, justice in our world, preservation of creation, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The structure of the cantata emulates Bach's use of gematria and polyphonic writing throughout. The text (in German) is drawn from suggested scripture passages, from the chorale Schmücke dich, and one newly written poem. Instrumentation is for choir, soprano solo, two flutes, oboe, and strings.

The gift of the Peace Window is a project of the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association. Phil Cezeaux has led the project to give to the City of Leipzig the last window to go into St. Thomas Church, recognized as a World Monument (2000) and final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach. The congregations of Christ the King Church and St. Thomas Church have nurtured a relationship over the last thirteen years. Pastor Christian Wolff of St. Thomas Church has visited Houston several times. In 2005 Pastor Moore served for 4½ months as Guest Pastor at St. Thomas Church.

The Peace Window will be dedicated in the 9:30 a.m. service on October 11. The church council of St. Thomas Church chose the theme of the final window to be that of "peace." The dedication takes place during the celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of the "Peaceful Revolution" that brought an end to communist rule in East Germany and ultimately led to reunification. For this reason Professor Gebuhr was invited to compose a cantata for the service on the peace theme.

Competitions were held in Germany and in the United States to select the design for the window. The jury appointed by the council of St. Thomas Church selected the design by David Schnell. Mr. Schnell's design will finalize the sequence of windows on the south wall of the church. From left to right viewed from inside the church the series begins with six historical windows: the World War I Memorial window, followed by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, Johann Sebastian Bach, Luther-Melanchthon-Prince Friedrich, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and ending with the Peace Window.

Rotarians from District 5890 (Houston) are funding the window, which costs approximately $120,000, as a gift from Houstonians to the City of Leipzig. Rotary International Districts 5890 (Houston area) and 1880 (Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg area) have scheduled a Peace Conference in Leipzig that weekend. A large contingent from the Houston area is expected to travel to Leipzig for the conference, the 20th Anniversary Observance, the Dedication of the Peace Window and the presentation of the Peace Cantata by Professor Gebuhr.

Last updated: 2009-03-10