From sunup to sundown, every middle of March we celebrate the glorious music of Johann Sebastian Bach in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. This episode features highlights from Bach Around the Clock– our annual Bach birthday marathon from Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton, Virginia. Bach in all his glory and variety – including piano solos, guitar duets, soaring cantatas, and even Bach on the banjo!
This Episode’s Playlist
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1068 – II. Air
Liana Branscome, Isabella Gorman, Strauss Shi, violins
Steven Baloue, viola
Benjamin Fried, cello
Mishe Bjerken, bass
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Bach: Gamba Sonata No. 1 in G major, BWV 1027 – I. Adagio; II. Allegro ma non tanto
Steven Baloue, viola
Connie Kim-Sheng, harpsichord
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005 – III. Largo
Yezu Woo, violin
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.19.2021
Bach: Sonata in G minor, BWV 1030b: I. Andante [abridged]
John Bullard, Banjo
Florence Jowers, organ
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.17.2018
Bach: French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 – I. Allemande
Peter Blanchette, archguitar
Mané Lareggla, archguitar
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816: IV. Gavotte; V. Bourrée
Stefan Petrov, piano
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.17.2018
Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 – II. Sarabande [excerpt]
Stefan Petrov, piano
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.17.2018
Bach: Cantata BWV 140, “Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme” (Sleepers Awake)
Sheila Dietrich, soprano,
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Adrian Smith, bass
BATC Chamber Choir & Orchestra
Paul Weber, Music Director & Conductor
Florence Jowers, organ
Violin solo: Liana Branscome
Oboe solo: Jessica Warren
Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Go Deeper
Since 2018, the Heifetz Institute has joined forces with Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton, and performing-arts partners around Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley to present Bach Around The Clock, a day-long free-of-charge concert celebration of Johann Sebastian’s timeless music. The 6th annual edition will take place on Saturday, March 18, from 9 am to 9 pm.
If there is one book to buy on Bach, it’s this one: “It is hard to imagine what the English maestro John Eliot Gardiner, 70, might do to surpass “Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven” in its commitment, scope and comprehensiveness. ” – James, Ostreich, New York Times.
Bach In The Subways began in 2011 in New York City as a way “to bring live Bach to as many people around the world as possible – especially to those who would not normally hear it. We believe this is a fun & exciting way to get more people turned onto classical music.” Check out how what began as a simple “busking for Bach” exercise has become a global phenomenon!