Thursday, July 19, 2007
It’s about mile 12, give or take a symphony, into this musical marathon, and these highly attuned artists are showing no signs of fatigue—in fact, they’re just hitting their stride. Here are some highlights of the second leg (or week) of their run, including some of the smaller but very special musical performances of the festival. For a complete schedule, visit bachfestival.org.
THURSDAY, JULY 19
1707 COMPOSERS If contemporaries Bach, Handel and Scarlotti could celebrate their 300-year reunion, they might have conjured this evening’s performance featuring Bach’s Cantatas BWV 131 and BWV 4, Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Scarlotti’s Stabat Mater. The Festival Chorale, members of the Festival Orchestra, soloists, and conductor Andrew Megill bring together this three-part evening. 8PM, SUNSET THEATER
FRIDAY, JULY 20
A BOUQUET OF SYMPHONIES One of the most popular events each year, A Bouquet of Symphonies features three works with conductor Bruno Weil and the Festival Orchestra. Symphony in B-Flat Major, Op. 3, No. 4 was composed by Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach—J.S. Bach’s 16th child and ninth son, and a virtuoso in his own right. Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 in B-Flat Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 follow. 8PM, SUNSET THEATER
SATURDAY, JULY 21
INTERMEZZO RECITAL: VIENNESE MATINEE Twenty musicians on violin, viola, cello, bass, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet, and harpsichord present two pieces: Haydn’s Symphony No. 6, “Le Matin” and Mozart’s Concerto for Bassoon in B-Flat Major. Scholars often refer to the bassoon as the grumpy instrument of the orchestra, but this concerto defies the stereotype. Enjoy a special treat with Emlyn Ngai and Catherine Emes on solo violin.11AM, SUNSET THEATER >
FAMILY CONCERT The family concerts are free and have open seating, so be sure to get there early. Today’s concert features John Koza leading the impressive Festival Youth Chorus in an hour-long performance.4PM, SUNSET THEATER
SUNDAY, JULY 22
BACH AND BUXTEHUDE: MASTER AND MENTOR The Bach Festival fills this lovely space with works by J.S. Bach and his mentor, Buxtehude. This evening’s Candlelight Concert spotlights Bach Sonata in B. Minor, Buxtehude Trio in G Minor, Bach’s Partita, and Sonata in G Major. 9PM, CHURCH OF THE WAYFARER>
ST. MATTHEW PASSION The St. Matthew Passion is one of the more powerful pieces from the Baroque era and is one of only two surviving settings of the Passion that Bach wrote. Scholars consider this one of Bach’s most important works; it was written for a double orchestra and double choir. In this performance it also showcases the solo voices of Colton, Russell, Butterfield, and Sylvan. 2:30PM, SUNSET CULTURAL CENTER
MONDAY, JULY 23
INSPIRATIONS, INTIMATES & RIVALS Tonight is focused on composers who inspired Bach, as well as his rivals and heirs: Vivaldi, Telemann and Johann Christian Bach. Elizabeth Wallfisch, a world-renowned interpreter of violin repertoire from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, leads the Festival Strings with her violin in this compilation made up primarily of concertos. The rich tone of Sally-Anne Russell, the Australian mezzo-soprano diva, accompanies Wallfisch in a cantata by Telemann. 8PM, SUNSET CULTURAL CENTER
ORGAN RECITAL IN CARMEL MISSION J.S. Bach was an organist and this morning’s recital presents a fascinating look at the master in his own domain. 11AM, CARMEL MISSION BASILICA
TUESDAY, JULY 24
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL—YOU ARE AN INSTRUMENT: A SINGER’S LIFE Select individuals from the Festival Ensemble give an intimate performance. David Gordon with soloists, members from the Festival Choral, and participants from the Virginia Best Adams Master Class members offer their finely tuned instruments—their voices—but the Q&A is the key to the event. (Up Close & Personal happens every Tuesday and Thursday with a different group each time.) 1PM, SUNSET THEATER>
“GOTT IST MEIN KÖNIG” (GOD IS MY KING): THE AHA! CONCERT This performance amounts to a show-and-tell through music and narration, returning a year after its debut due to popular demand. Several full-length pieces from a variety of Bach’s work comprise the Gott is Mein König (God is my King) program. Bruno Weil conducts while David Gordon, internationally-known opera and concert soloist and festival education director, narrates about the messages of life, thought and time that music relays, and about what makes music memorable. 8PM, SUNSET THEATER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
ROMANTIC TWILIGHT CONCERT A Nonet or Nonetto is a composition for nine musicians. In this case, two lyrical works are presented with nine different instruments: Muzio Clementi’s Nonet in E-Flat Major and Louis Spohr’s Grand Nonetto in F Major, Op. 31.4:30PM/RECEPTION, 5:30PM/CONCERT; CHURCH IN THE FOREST PEBBLE BEACH
TENEBRAE RESPONSORIES: DARKNESS TO LIGHT A splendid dinner accompanies the Festival Chorale’s a capella program, which takes listeners on a journey through chromaticism color-centered on the extraordinary artistry of Don Carlo Gesualdo and his 16th century composition. There is limited seating for this moving evening and tickets are sure to go quickly. 6PM/DINNER, 8:30PM/CONCERT; CARMEL MISSION BASILICA>
>VARIOUS DAYS
>TOWER MUSIC—OPEN AIR SERENADES The Festival Brass presents entertaining, half-hour concerts outside. Suzanne Mudge, a distinguished trombonist in her 22nd year with the Festival, provides musical direction.>
7:20PM, SUNSET THEATER TERRACE | SATURDAY
1:45PM, SUNSET THEATER TERRACE | SUNDAY
7:20PM, SUNSET THEATER TERRACE | TUESDAY
7:55PM, CARMEL MISSION BASILICA | WEDNESDAY>
7:20PM, SUNSET THEATER TERRACE | FRIDAY
DISCOVER SERIES PRE-CONCERT TALKS David Gordon and Dr. Grant Voth bring their higher understandings down to earth in these daily discussions that precede the Main Concerts. Stories, listening tips, and interesting facts help bring the music to life. VARIOUS TIMES (DAILY)—SEE BACHFESTIVAL.ORG
The Festival also features main concerts, chamber music, recitals and lectures in the afternoons, more intimate programs in the Sunset Theater foyer, a series of twilight and candlelit concerts, and some free family events. The Bach Festival runs from Saturday, July 14, to Saturday, Aug. 4. For a full schedule, visit bachfestival.org.
Rocky Point Restaurant
Carmel
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