J.S. Bach, 1685-1750, painted 1748
June 8-10, 2012
Grant Cooper, Artistic Director
Bach & Beyond is a lively celebration of Baroque music, happening in early June each year. Spirited performances of some of the greatest music ever written take place in an acoustically-ideal Victorian setting. Treat yourself to the lighthearted atmosphere that has distinguished the Festival since its beginning in 1996. Top-flight performances by Baroque specialists will leave you applauding for more! Though the musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach is the foundation of the Festival, each year we include other great composers whose works reflect Bach's inspirational influence.
2012 Program
This marks the 17th year of the Bach & Beyond Festival. This year, Festival Director/Maestro Grant Cooper and the International Baroque Soloists celebrate J.S. Bach with performances of his Orchestral Suites Nos. 1, 3 and 4. (Orchestra Suite No. 3 contains the beautiful "Air" used in many, many weddings.) Each of the three festival concerts will include one of these Suites.
The program also will feature Festival Concertmistress Julie Leven in Bach's Violin Concerto in a minor. And, after a three-year absence, this year's festival marks the return of vocal music as soprano Janet Brown performs during the Festival's opening and closing concerts.
Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.
Francesco Geminiani: Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 1 in D
J.S. Bach: Concerto in F (based on BWV 1053)
Pietro Locatelli: Sonata Opus VI No. 12
Georg Friderik Handel: Cantata Manca pur quanto sai
J.S. Bach: Orchestra Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066
Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi: Concerto for Oboe and Violin in B-flat, RV Ahn.18
Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto for Four Violins in C, TWV 40:203
Georg Friderik Handel: Suite in g minor, HWV 432
Georg Friderik Handel/Johan Halvorsen: Passacaglia
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWM 1068
Sunday, June 10, 4 p.m.
J.S. Bach: Concerto in a minor for Violin, BWV 1041
J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen
J.S. Bach: Suite for solo Violoncello No. 6, BWV 1012
J.S. Bach: Orchestra Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069
The Silence Before Bach
June 2, 2012, at 8pm
As a special kick-off/preview to the annual Bach & Beyond Festival, the Opera House will present a special screening of the film, The Silence Before Bach. Created by one of the world’s most distinctive and original film voices, visionary director Pere Portabella, The Silence Before Bach is a true wonder. “Bach’s music is the only thing that reminds us the world is not a failure,” says a character in the film.
Portabella takes Bach’s music as a theme and a starting place, and then takes it on the road, both literally (two Spanish truckdrivers discuss its fine points; a group of several dozen young cellists play rapturous Bach on a subway car) and otherwise (Portabella recreates the composer’s life - sort of; the film opens with a player piano seemingly moving of its own accord, dancing a pas de deux with Portabella’s camera.)
The music is as glorious as the cinematic art ... the film’s meanings open and perhaps even profound.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $6.50 for Opera House members/seniors and $5 for students.
Bach & Before ... A Pre-Concert Conversation
These 30-minute talks feature Artistic Director/Conductor Grant Cooper and selected Festival musicians in a lively discussion about the concert to follow. Beginning an hour before each concert (7pm on Friday and Saturday, 3pm on Sunday), the conversations will include, for example, specific elements of the performance to listen for, information on the music's historical context, and the impressions and reflections of the performance's artists. The Conversations are an informative and engaging way to gain more insight into the music and music-makers before the performance! Admission to Bach & Before Pre-Concert Conversations is free to ticket holders. The location will be announced as the festival draws nearer.
Subscriptions are the Best Bargain!
Consider a subscription to the 2012 Bach & Beyond Festival. Three concerts over three days for only $45. Individual concert tickets are $20; so, a subscription represents a $15 savings for the three concerts. Subscription ticket holders also receive an invitation to a special reception with the musicians following the Sunday performance.
