Boulder Bach Festival Celebrates “Brandenburg and More”: 31st season Continues, Feb. 24 - Mar. 4
The Boulder Bach Festival opened its 31st season in September under the direction of music director Rick Erickson with concerts in Boulder and Denver, attracting full houses and critical acclaim. With its annual Festival Week from February 24 to March 4, 2012, the Festival continues its celebration of “Brandenburg and More,” with an organ recital, chamber concerts, choral works, and a colloquium.
The Festival Organ Recital, February 24 & 25, 2012, in Denver and Boulder, respectively, features Michael Unger, the 2008 First Prize Winner of the American Guild of Organists National
Young Artists Competition. Unger, a Gold Medal graduate of the University of Western Ontario, received his master’s degrees in organ and harpsichord from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He performs extensively as a soloist and is also a church musician, chamber musician, and published composer.
The Boulder Bach Festival week kicks off on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, with the third “Bach in the Community” event featuring a colloquium that probes the deeper complexities of Bach and performances by festival artists. This afternoon event, which is free and open to the public, provides a wonderful introduction to the subsequent performances during the festival week.
The festival week continues on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, with a chamber concert featuring Brandenburg Concertos No. 2 and No. 4, Bach choral selections, and Bach solo organ works performed by Rick Erickson.
On Thursday, March 1, 2012, the final “Bach in the Community” event takes place with Bach for Kids, an interactive and multidimensional event featuring Boulder Bach Festival artists and kids at the Boulder Public Library.
The Boulder Bach Festival final concert takes place on March 3, 2012, at the Mountain View United Methodist Church, in Boulder, with the Boulder Bach Festival Players and the Boulder Bach Festival Chorus, featuring Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, Cantatas BWV 147 and 187, and Motet BWV 230. Vocal soloists include Amanda Balestrieri, soprano; Eric Brenner, countertenor; Daniel Hutchings, tenor; and Joe Damon Chappel, bass.
Bach Vespers, after the New York practice based on the Leipzig tradition, is a post-festival special event that takes place on March 4, 2012, at Grace Lutheran Church, in Boulder, with featured festival artists and vocal soloists performing Cantata BWV 159, Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem. The audience is invited to sing the chorale movement.
Dates for 2012 Boulder Bach Festival Concerts and Events (31st Season)
Bach in the Community, Kids for Bach Concert, February 12, 2012, Sunday, 2 p.m.
Boulder Public Library, Canyon Theater, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. (at 9th St. and Canyon)
K through 12 auditioned winners performing solo and chamber works of J.S. Bach (free)
Festival Organ Recital
February 24, 2012, Friday, St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington Street, Denver, 7:30 p.m.
February 25, 2012, Saturday, First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine Street, Boulder, 7:30 p.m.
Michael Unger, 2008 Winner, Guild of Organists’ National Young Artists Competition.
Festival Week, Bach in the Community, Festival Artist Demonstrations and Colloquium: February 28, 2012, Tuesday, 2 to 4 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine Street (free)
Festival Week, Chamber Concert
Open rehearsals, First Congregational Church, Boulder
February 27, 2012, Monday, 1 to 4 p.m.
February 28, 2012, Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
February 28, 2012, Tuesday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (dress rehearsal)
Chamber Concert, February 29, 2012, Wednesday, First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine Street, Boulder, 7:30 p.m.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, BWV 1047
Cantata BWV 167, Ihr Menschen, rϋhmet Gottes Liebe, chorale
Schmϋcke dich, O liebe Seele, BWV 654, organ
Mein treuer Heiland, lass dich fragen, bass aria and chorale, from St. John Passion
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, BWV 1049
Boulder Bach Festival Artists: Joe Damon Chappel, bass; Zachary Carrettin, concertmaster; Ann Marie Morgan, cello; Rick Erickson, harpsichord and organ; Christina Jennings, flute; Bruce Barrie, trumpet
Boulder Bach Festival Players and Boulder Bach Festival Chamber Choir
Bach in the Community, Bach for Kids, Interactive Sessions with Festival Artists
March 1, 2012, Thursday, Boulder Public Library, Canyon Theater, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. (9th & Canyon), 2:30 to 5 p.m.
A multidimensional, interactive day with BBF artists and kids (free)
Festival Week Finale Concert
March 3, 2012, Saturday, Mountain View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Street, Boulder, 7:30 p.m.
Cantata BWV 187, Es wartet alles auf dich
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, BWV 1046
Motet BWV 230, Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden
Cantata BWV 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
Rick Erickson, conductor; BBF artists Amanda Balestrieri, soprano; Eric Brenner, countertenor; Daniel Hutchings, tenor; Joe Damon Chappel, bass; Zachary Carrettin, concertmaster; Ann Marie Morgan, cello
Boulder Bach Festival Players and Boulder Bach Festival Chorus
Open rehearsals, Mountain View United Methodist Church, Boulder
March 1, 2012, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 1, 2012, Thursday, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
March 2, 2012, Friday, 7 to 10 p.m. (dress rehearsal)
Bach Vespers, after the New York practice based on the Leipzig tradition
March 4, 2012, Sunday, Grace Lutheran Church, 1001 13th Street, Boulder, 4:15 p.m.
Rick Erickson, conductor; BBF artists Amanda Balestrieri, soprano; Eric Brenner, countertenor; Daniel Hutchings, tenor; Joe Damon Chappel, bass; Zachary Carrettin, concertmaster; Ann Marie Morgan, cello; and Boulder Bach Festival Players
Cantata BWV 159, Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem
The audience is invited to sing the chorale movement. Audience rehearsal at 3:45 p.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Boulder Bach Festival
The Boulder Bach Festival was founded in 1981 to present the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and to encourage knowledge and appreciation of the Baroque master. Since 1982 a multi-day festival has been presented each year, featuring an instrumental ensemble, chorus, and soloists drawn from a pool of area musicians as well as nationally-known artists from around the country. Over the years it has gradually added concerts outside of its original format so that presentations now extend through most of the year. The 31st season introduces new music director, Rick Erickson. For programming, tickets, and further information, visit the website at www.boulderbachfestival.org or call 303-776-9666.
###
