Bach Virtuosi Festival
May 13–21, 2024
The Bach Virtuosi Festival, founded by violinist Lewis Kaplan, offers residents and visitors of New York City (May 13–21, 2024) and Portland, Maine (June 19–25, 2024) a world-class concert series for lovers of the Baroque repertoire. BVF has been well-received by the public, the press, and the artists themselves from its outset in 2016. The artists are world renowned musicians, musicologists, and professors who play Bach and his contemporaries with brilliance, love and integrity. BVF holds concerts in churches, synagogues, and intimate venues with spectacular acoustics, so attendees can be close to the musicians and further their appreciation for this exalted music regardless of religious affiliations.
Events:
All events at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
A limited number of free student tickets (under 27 with ID) will be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.
Christoph Wolff lecture on Johann Sebastian Bach
Monday, May 13 at 7:30 pm
Tenfourteen
1014 Fifth Avenue between 82nd & 83th Street, Manhattan
Christoph Wolff, author and foremost expert on J.S. Bach, will speak about the great composer.
Admission: By donation
The Eternal Bach
Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 pm
Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church
552 West End Avenue & 87th Street (Upper West Side), Manhattan
The opening night concert for Bach Virtuosi Festival New York is inspired by the NASA spacecraft, Voyager 1. Launched in 1977 and still in space today, its ongoing mission is to introduce planet Earth to intelligent beings should they be encountered. On board is a recording of 20 classical works of music, three by Johann Sebastian Bach, the most of any composer. BVF will present these three works, which will include the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2.
Tickets:
$45 ~ General Admission
Program & Soloists:
Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 870: Book 2, The Well Tempered Clavier
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord
Gavotte Partita in E Major BWV 1006
Ariadne Daskalakis ~ violin
Organ Trio Sonata in E minor, BWV 528
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
Ariadne Daskalakis ~ violin
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord
Jesu meine Freude, BWV 227
Sherezade Panthaki ~ soprano
Helen Karloski ~ mezzo soprano
Jay Carter ~ countertenor
Brian Giebler ~ tenor
Paul Max Tipton ~ bass baritone
Sonata B minor flute and continuo, BWV 1030
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord
Magnificat, BWV 243, Movement 10 (Suscepit Israel)
Aus tiefer Not, BWV 38, Movement 5 (Wenn meine Trübsal)
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 Pt. 5 (Ach wenn wird die Zeit)
Sherezade Panthaki ~ soprano
Helen Karloski ~ mezzo soprano
Jay Carter ~ countertenor
Brian Giebler ~ tenor
Paul Max Tipton ~ bass baritone
Brandenburg Concerto Number 2 in F Major, BWV 1047
John Thiessen ~ trumpet
John Ferrillo ~ oboe
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
Renee Jolles ~ violin
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord
Bach by Candlelight
Friday, May 17
Reception ~ 7 pm
Concert ~ 7:30 pm
French Church du Saint-Esprit
109 East 60th Street, Manhattan
The intimacy felt between a solo musician and the audience when the musician is on the same floor as the audience is spectacular. Bach by Candlelight is designed with this in mind. It is held in a small church, which only seats 80 people, that is dimly lit, so the audience can fully appreciate and take in the experience of these magical performances.
Tickets:
$50 ~ General Admission (All tickets include reception)
Date and venue subject to change
Program & Soloists:
J.S. Bach – Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007
Ezra Seltzer ~ cello
C.P.E. Bach – Sonata in A minor, Wq.132
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
J.S. Bach – Chaconne, BWV 1004
Ariadne Daskalakis ~ violin
What a Century: Bach Handel Vivaldi
Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 pm
Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church
552 West End Avenue & 87th Street (Upper West Side), Manhattan
Three of the greatest composers to ever live are featured in this magnificent concert. It delicately begins with a Bach flute work and ends with Bach's bold Brandenburg Concerto No. 5; it is grounded by beautiful Handel arias and a Vivaldi harpsichord concerto. This concert has it all and features works by some of the greatest composers ever.
Tickets:
$45 ~ General Admission
Program & Soloists:
J.S. Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay (from The Choice of Hercules)
Welcome as the Dawn of Day (from Solomon)
O Lord Whose Mercies Numberless (from Saul)
G.F. Handel – Sweet Bird (from L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato)
Sherezade Panthaki ~ soprano
Jay Carter ~ countertenor
Antonio Vivaldi (arranged by J.S. Bach) – Harpsichord Concerto in F Major, BWV 978
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord
J.S. Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050
Emi Ferguson ~ flute
Renee Jolles ~ violin
Arthur Haas ~ harpsichord