It’s hard to know where to begin to describe the rewards of the past weekend of music-making, so I think I’ll offer a few reflections in chronological order.  If you’re in the area, and didn’t attend this past Friday’s Distinguished Scholar Lecture, I implore you to plan to attend Dr. Christoph Wolff’s brilliant lecture, entitled… Continue Reading »

And on the Fourth Day, The Choir rested… We’ve also had some time to digest all of the gains experienced in three very intense days of rehearsal.  Last night’s gathering saw a dress rehearsal of sorts, as we sang through all the turba choruses and Charles Daniels offered most of the recitatives from the St.… Continue Reading »

The English tenor, Charles Daniels, is making his Festival debut this year, and he joined us in rehearsal last night for the first time.  I’ve long admired his singing on recordings, but they don’t do him justice:  he has a beautifully lyrical voice, an impeccable sense of rhythm, and a level of expression that just… Continue Reading »

Diving right into the deep end for our first rehearsal at Packer, The Choir and the Bach Festival Orchestra spent an intense 2 1/2 hours last night singing and playing through all the choruses of the Mass in B Minor, a run-through of the opening chorus of the St. John Passion, and some small group… Continue Reading »

Each year, months of musical preparation and planning culminate in the crown jewel of the Bach Choir’s season: the Festival in May.  Members of The Choir have been hard at work mastering the St. John Passion and reviewing the Mass in B Minor.   In addition to the Mass and the St. John, listeners will… Continue Reading »