Go Bach or go home
Roll over Beethoven. Mosey along Mozart.
Tell Tchaikovsky the news. Johann Sebastian Bach is No. 1.
“BACH BECAME the benchmark for so many other composers in terms of his total mastery of compositional techniques, combined with a flawless ease of expression. In that respect, he is a ‘giant,’” wrote Tafelmusik Chamber Choir director Ivars Taurins, who returns to FirstOntario Concert Hall to guest conduct the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in an all-Bach concert that crowns their Bach Festival on Saturday, Jan. 19. “The fact that Bach’s music is still valid today and loses none of its integrity whether performed as intended, or arranged for full symphony orchestra, children’s choirs, or synthesizers, is a testament to its greatness.”
HPO music director Gemma New is equally effusive about Bach.
“Bach is one of the most influential and relatable composers of all time. His beautiful orchestral music and his fascinating life will be a joy for everyone to experience,” wrote New. “Bach is the ultimate composer. He has that perfect balance of musical skill, transcendent spirituality, and human emotion.”
As in previous Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra composer festivals, there are numerous events leading up to the final concert as well as the post-concert Pro-Am Jam. Check this column’s sidebar or log on to hpo.org for details.
The HPO’s all-Bach bill will include the “Sinfonia” from the Easter cantata “Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats,” the “Violin Concerto in G minor” with HPO concertmaster Stephen Sitarski, the “Sinfonia in F,” the “Orchestral Suite no. 3 in D,” plus two arrangements for strings of pieces from Book 2 of “The Well Tempered Clavier,” Stravinsky’s posthumously published take on “Prelude no. 11,” as well as something possibly from Mozart’s pen, a “Fugue in G minor” based on Bach’s “Fugue in F sharp minor” BWV 883.
“The program I created revolves around Bach in different guises, not only in pieces reworked by Bach, but also as seen through other composers/arrangers,” wrote Taurins. “The Bach ‘Sinfonia in F’ is the precursor to his ‘Brandenburg Concerto no. 1,’ and was also used as a sinfonia in two of his cantatas. The violin concerto is not one of the two ‘standard’ concertos, but a reconstruction of the lost original which then became the fminor harpsichord concerto, with its famous slow movement.”
Also on the bill is a work every harpsichordist worth their weight in plectra has in his or her back pocket, Bach’s “Italian Concerto.” Written to be played solo on a two-manual harpsichord, it is here arranged for two violin soloists and strings by Taurins and his wife, Charlotte Nediger, Tafelmusik’s harpsichordist and organist. The soloists will be HPO associate concertmaster Lance Ouellette as well as the aforementioned Mr. Sitarski.
If you’re wondering why, with two violin soloists on hand, the NedigerTaurins arrangement was programmed rather than Bach’s “Double Violin Concerto,” Taurins will explain.
“It’s like being offered a new dish from the chef at your favourite restaurant, and commenting, ‘Why didn’t you just bring me the beef stroganoff ?’” wrote Taurins. “From the point of view of the theme of the concert, it has more ‘relevance’ than the double violin concerto. It is also a darn good piece for strings, if I can say so myself !”
Hmm. Bach, Nediger-Taurins or beef stroganoff ? Get yourself to the concert to find out which you like best.
“The program I created revolves around Bach in different guises, not only in pieces reworked by Bach, but also as seen through other composers and arrangers.” IVARS TAURINS Director, Tafelmusik Chamber Choir “Bach is the ultimate composer. He has that perfect balance of musical skill, transcendent spirituality, and human emotion.” GEMMA NEW, HPO MUSIC DIRECTOR