Every year since 2009, on the Saturday nearest his birthday, First Lutheran Church has presented the Boston Bach Birthday, a day-long celebration of the Johann Sebastian Bach and his music. The experience is filled with solo and chamber performances by organists, instrumentalists, and singers, and FLC's world-class pipe organ figures prominently. The day features a delicious German lunch (tickets $15 at the door) and a Vespers service with Bach cantata. Admission is free to all musical events. While some stay for the whole day, and others attend but one or two events, all leave having been musically and spiritually edified.

9am Jonathan Wessler, organ
Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BWV Anh. 77
O Vater, allmächtiger Gott, BWV 758
Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV Anh. 78
Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 770
Christ, der du bist der helle Tag, BWV 766
O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767
Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig, BWV 768

10:35am Young People's Concert
Sonata for violin and harpsichord in c, BWV 1017—1. Siciliano. Largo
Partita no. 3 for violin , BWV 1006—6. Gigue
Partita no. 1 for violin in b, BWV 1002—6. Double
Ave Maria (Bach BWV 846, arr. Charles Gounod)
Fugue in g, BWV 1001/2
Suite no. 1  for cello in G, BWV 1007
Concerto for violin in a, BWV 1041—1. Allegro moderato
Concerto for two violins in d, BWV 1043—1. Vivace
Chaconne in d, BWV 1004/5

11:25am Fred MacArthur, organ
Prelude & fugue in e, BWV 555  
Prelude & fugue in g, BWV 557
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731  
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 642  
Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott, BWV 721  
Allabreve in D, BWV 589  
Sonata no. 4 in e, BWV 528/2—Andante
O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sunde gross, BWV 622
Christ ist erstanden, BWV 627
Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 680

12pm German Lunch
tickets $15

1:30pm Jerrick Cavagnaro, organ
Prelude and fugue in E major, BWV 566  
Praeludium in F sharp minor, BuxWV 146 (Dieterich Buxtehude)
Toccata and fugue in F major, BWV 540  
DeGrigny tierce en taille (Nicolas de Grigny)
Fantasia and fugue in G minor, BWV 542

2:30pm Calvin Kotrba, piano
French Suite no. 6 in E

2:55pm Maren Rothfritz, viola
Suite no. 6 for cello in D, BWV 1012
Sonata, op. 33, no. 4, selections (Paul Hindemith)
Grimalkin (Will Stackpole)
ko'u inoa (Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti)

3:45pm Richard Giarusso, baritone
Ich habe genug, BWV 82

4:15 Vespers Prelude, organ
Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott (Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck)
Dies sind die heiligen Zehn Gebot, BWV 679
Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 681
Vater unser, BWV 683
Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, BWV 685
Aus tiefer Not, BWV 687
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 689
An Wasserflussen Babylon (Johann Adam Reincken)

5pm Vespers
Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
Magnificat ex D (attr. Dieterich Buxtehude)