Bach Around the Clock 2024 (FREE)

A free community-wide marathon celebration of the music and majesty of Johann Sebastian Bach. From sunup to sundown, you’ll hear superb string soloists, renowned organists, guitarists, pianists, choirs, & brilliant ensembles, performing the inspiring and moving works of “the immortal god of harmony.“

FULL SCHEDULE

9:00 AM – Preludio
The day begins with an hour of preludes for strings and keyboard, featuring the Heifetz Institute Ensemble In Residence, Alumni & Guests
PERFORMERS: Heifetz Institute Ensemble In Residence, Alumni & Guests
FEATURED PIECES: Preludes from the Cello Suites and Violin Partitas, and for keyboard

10:00 AM – The Journeys of Bach
Heifetz Institute President & CEO/raconteur Benjamin K. Roe offers a multimedia presentation of stories, snapshots, and audio snippets chronicling Bach’s adventures through his native Germany, and how they shaped his music.

11:00 AM – Bach for Beginners
Let’s start at the very beginning! Bring the kids for an hour of sampling about Bach’s “baby steps” for instrumentalists.
PERFORMERS: Heifetz Ensemble in Residence & Special Guests
FEATURED PIECES: Bach, arr. Nicholas Kitchen: Preludes & Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I

12:00 PM – A Bach Potpourri
Noontime delights from the Bach cabinet of delights…Songs, Stories, and Serendipity!
PERFORMERS: Special Mystery Guests and Familiar Faces

1:00 PM – Bach, accompanied
Harpsichordist Lynne Mackey anchors an hour of Bach’s accompanied solo works
PERFORMERS: Lynne Mackey, harpsichord; Carlos Walker, viola; Anthony Cincotta, saxophone
FEATURED PIECES: Bach: Sonata for Viola Da Gamba & Harpsichord in G major, BWV 1027

2:00 PM – Viola Da Spalla: Andrew Gonzalez
Heifetz alum Andrew Gonzalez returns to Staunton with his ‘spalla in hand. Discover the fascinating sound of Bach’s “shoulder cello.”
PERFORMERS: Andrew Gonzalez, viola da spalla
FEATURED PIECES:Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007

3:00 PM – Organ Music of J.S. Bach
Members of the Charlottesville-Albemarle chapter of the American Guild of Organists join in our day-long celebration with a selection of Bach’s memorable works for the King of Instruments.

4:00 PM – Bist Du Bei Mir – Be Near To Me
An hour of Bach’s sacred texts, including a congregational singalong of chorales from the St. John Passion, and the complete solo bass Cantata BWV 82 “Es ist genug” (“It is enough”) sung by Adrian Smith
PERFORMERS: Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Charles Humphries, countertenor; Brian Thorsett, tenor; Adrian Smith, bass; Florence Jowers, organ
Heifetz Ensemble In Residence
FEATURED PIECES: Cantata BWV 82, “Es ist genug”

5:00 PM – Chaconne
Garth Newel Pianist Jeannette Fang delves into Bach’s stunning composition transcribed for keyboard
PERFORMERS: Jeannette Fang, piano
FEATURED PIECES: Bach-Busoni: Chaconne in D minor

6:00 PM – BATC & Throughout the (Liturgical) Year
Our featured guest organist, Timothy Olsen, will play major organ works of Bach interspersed with chorale-preludes from the seasons of the church year, from Advent/Christmas to Pentecost
PERFORMERS: Dr. Timothy Olsen, NC School of the Arts and Cantor, Augsburg Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem, NC

7:15 PM – The Heifetz Half-Hour
The Heifetz Ensemble in Residence shines on its own!
PERFORMERS: Heifetz Ensemble in Residence
JiHyun Baik, violin; Carlos Martinez, violin; Carlos Walker, viola; Zhihao Wu, cello
FEATURED PIECES: Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

7:45 PM – Grand Finale: The Cantata Hour
Soprano Sheila Dietrich sings movements of Cantata 199; the BATC Chamber Choir, Tenor Brian Thorsett, and Bass Adrian Smith, combine for a performance of Bach’s 1707 Cantata BWV 131, based on Psalm 130. The day will end with orchestral, choral, and audience performances of a Bach chorale from Cantatas 75 and 99, with the Taylor and Boody Organ played by Florence Jowers heard in all its glory!
PERFORMERS: Staunton Bach Orchestra, BATC Chamber Choir, and Soloists; Paul Weber, Music Director; Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Charles Humphries, countertenor; Brian Thorsett, tenor; Adrian Smith, bass. The Heifetz Ensemble in Residence will be joined by Jeanette Zyko, oboe, Suzanne Pattison, bassoon, Lorenzo Nigrelli, double bass, Florence Jowers and Joel VanderZee, continuo, and a surprise guest on horn.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS