Classical music news: Madison Bach Musicians announces three concerts and six performances for its new season

By Jacob Stockinger

The Madison Bach Musicians has announced its 2010-11 season. And it looks to be a fine one, especially with the mix of vocal and instrumental music.

You’ll notice that no concerts take place at the First Unitarian Society this season.

“Dates just didn’t work out,” says MBM director Trevor Stephenson (below), who performs on various keyboards and also gives terrifically witty, entertaining and informative pre-concert lectures.

In addition, the very appealing concert of three Bach cantatas takes place almost exactly as the same times the UW Choral Union will be presenting Handel’s “Israel in Egypt.”

“That’s just how it is in Madison,” says Stephenson, admitting that he knows it will disappoint both Choral Union audiences and performers. “There is just so much to do and just so many dates available.”

Here is the new season’s line-up:

Madison Bach Musicians’ 2010-11 Season

1. October 2 & 3, 2010 : Music of Haydn, Vivaldi and Bach

Vivaldi – Concerto for Three Violins

Vivaldi – Bassoon Concerto, with guest soloist UW professor Marc Vallon

Bach – C major Orchestral Suite

Haydn – Symphony #26 in D minor (“Lamentation”)

Saturday, October 2, 7:15 p.m. lecture and 8 p.m. concert

Sunday, October 3, 2:15 p.m. lecture and 3 p.m. concert

First Congregational Church, 1609 University Ave., Madison, Wis.

2. November 20 & 21, 2010 : Bach Cantatas

BWV 4, “Christ lag in Todes Banden
”

BWV 106, “Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit”

BWV 196, “Der Herr denket an uns
”

Saturday, November 20, 7:15 p.m. lecture and 8 p.m. concert (note new start times) and Sunday, November 21, 2:45 p.m. lecture & 3:30 p.m. concert

Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave., on the Capitol Square, Madison, Wis.

“I just love the acoustics there,” says Stephenson, adding that the Bach cantatas will be recorded for release on a CD, says Stephenson.

3. April 9 & 10, 2011 : Concertos by Bach and Tartini with guest artist, Marilyn McDonald, baroque violinist

Tartini – Violin Concerto

Bach – Harpsichord Concerto in F minor

Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major

Saturday, April 9, 2010 7:15 p.m. lecture & 8 p.m. concert and 
Sunday, April 10, 2:15 p.m. lecture & 3 p.m. concert

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago St., Madison, Wis.

Advance-price discount tickets cost $20 general admission, $15 for students and seniors over 65 and are on sale at: A Room of One’s Own, Farley’s House of Pianos, Willy St. Co-op, Orange Tree Imports and Ward Brodt Music Mall.

Tickets ($25 general admission and $20 for seniors and students, respectively) will also available at the door.

For information, visit http://www.madisonbachmusicians.org or you can call 608 238-6092.

Stephenson also told The Ear he would soon release information about several more “house music” concerts (below) of early music at his west side home during the upcoming season. I have enjoyed those concerts immensely, and so I am looking forward to seeing the menu.

---

Posted in Classical music