Bach Society of Charleston

The Bach Society of Charleston presents

Vivaldi’s Salve Regina and Concerto for Violin and Organ RV541 and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater
 
Performed by the Charleston Southern University Bel Canto Singers and baroque string ensemble

March 26, 2023 - 4:00-5:30pm
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
53 Meeting Street

Tickets may be purchased online at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org

The Bach Society of Charleston would like to wish all of our wonderful concert attendees, generous patrons and talented artists a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year. Our concerts this past year as well as our Bachanalia brought the music of J.S. Bach and his Baroque contemporaries to an even larger audience than we anticipated which is why we are so excited about our upcoming 2023 concert season. If you would like to learn more about the Bach Society of Charleston, purchase tickets for our 2023 concerts, or perhaps donate, we invite you to visit us at: https://bachsocietyofcharleston-org.okyanust.com/get-involved/. As a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.

¡Hola, Bach!

Continuing on from our recent Bachanalia event discussing the works of Manuel de Sumaya, the Bach Society of Charleston invites you to join us for a wonderful concert event featuring the music of Sumaya.

Saturday, October 15 at 7:00pm
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
Charleston, SC

Tickets can be purchased in advance at: www.bachsocietyofcharleston.com

Mark you calendar for Bachanalia 2022…Mexico and the Music of Manuel de Sumaya: The Bach of the Americas

Monday, September 19
The Charleston Library Society
164 King Street
7:00 - 8:30pm
$30 Library Society Members
$35 General Admission

Tickets may be purchased online at:
https://bachsocietyofcharleston.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cce592ac7ca3c94285149ed33&id=55ac6b22c9&e=33dd7beb22

Join Drew Edward Davies, Associate Professor of Musicology at Northwestern University and Bach Society of Charleston Artistic Director Ricard Bordas for an evening of music and discovery. In his lecture, Davies will relate the story of Manuel de Sumaya (1678-1755), a very close contemporary of J. S. Bach (1685-1750) and one of the only important colonial composers to have been born in the New World, in his case Mexico City. While Sumaya and Bach worked in very different environments—the former at the largest Catholic cathedral on the American continent amid a bustling, multicultural colonial city, and the latter in a Lutheran church that was more of a regional center–we can think of them as "church musicians" rather than "composers." In addition to their achievement as composers, both were organists, choir directors, teachers, and administrators.

Following the lecture, Ricard Bordas and Dustin Ousley will perform the music of Sumaya, accompanied by harpsicord and cello.

As part of 2022 please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Young Artist Festival sponsored by The Bach Society of Charleston. Featuring an outstanding line-up of talented pre-college instrumental and vocal students from South Carolina, this concert promises to delight! 2:00pm Saturday, May 28, 2022 @ Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting St., Charleston

Bach is back! Join us at 3pm today when we open the doors at The Cathedral Church for a riveting performance. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the door (cash/credit card) or by visiting the link at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org

Such an ethereal space to hear the music of J.S. Bach performed!

Please join us on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27 for two exciting concerts.

Details and tickets may be found at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org

Happy 337th Birthday, J.S. Bach!
🎼🎂🎉 🎼🎂🎉🎼🎂🎉🎼

(image source: KMFA 89.5)

Bach Society of Charleston
Fall 2020-Winter 2121

Our first concert of the 2020-2021 season is less than two weeks away. Given all the challenges of these times, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to hear live music performed once again. Although seating is very limited due to social distancing procedures, there are still seats available in the beautiful sanctuary of the Unitarian Church, where harpist Parker Ramsay will perform his arrangement for harp of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the day of his new recording's release. Let's celebrate together.

J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations
Parker Ramsay, Harp
Friday, September 18th, 7:30 pm
In the sanctuary of the Unitarian Church
4 Archdale Street, Charleston

Social Distancing and masking will be observed

Reserve my seat at bachsocietyofcharleston.org

For a hint of the delights this concert promises to bring, enjoy this excerpt from Ramsay’s recording session at the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. The full recording will be released on the day of our program.

Listen now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK7VItt-E6M

Order a download of the complete recording

https://smarturl.it/parkerramsay

CDs of the recording can be ordered from Amazon and other online sellers. For more information or to make a donation, visit our website www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org or click here

The Bach Society of Charleston is pleased to announce its Fall 2020-Winter 2021 season, featuring a new transcription of a beloved Bach composition and a contemporary look at Bach's timeless message of hope.

Click here to buy tickets http://bachsocietyofcharleston.org

Fall Concert
J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations
Parker Ramsay, Harp
September 18th, 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Church, 4 Archdale Street
Tickets $25

Harpist and harpsichordist Parker Ramsay performs his own arrangement for harp of Bach’s celebrated Goldberg Variations, which he recorded last fall in King’s College Chapel in Cambridge for the college’s label. Presented beneath the Gothic tracery of Charleston’s Unitarian Church in advance of the CD’s international release, this performance will capture the recording’s unique and magical ambience.

Bachanalia
From Mourning to Joy: What Bach’s music teaches us
about times of adversity
Scott Jarrett, President, Early Music America
January 28th, 7 pm at the Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street
Tickets $30

Scott Jarrett, President of Early Music America and musical director of the Charlotte Bach Akademie, Oregon Bach Festival, and Back Bay Chorale of Boston, will explore the timeless relevance of J. S. Bach’s thoughts and music in a lecture accompanied by a performance on Baroque instruments illuminating his themes. A reception will follow.

Social distancing and mask wearing will be observed at all concerts. In the event of Covid-related cancellations, tickets are refundable.

Bach Society of Charleston's cover photo

Bachanalia features music by Bach and his contemporaries

The Bach Society of Charleston presents our second Bachanalia at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Charleston Library Society, 164 King St. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org.

postandcourier.com This year's program features cellist Phoebe Carrai, Juilliard School of Music faculty member and director of the Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Bach Society of Charleston Artistic Director Ricard Bordas, a

Baroque music...on Baroque instruments...in an American Baroque city. Through our concert series, lecture events and young artists series the Bach Society of Charleston endeavors to bring the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries to the Charleston community. As a 501(c)3 organization your generous donations and patronage allows us to continue with our mission of presenting exceptionally high-quality, historically informed performances. Tuesday, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages individuals to give back to organizations within their community. This please consider supporting the Bach Society of Charleston www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org

Not even our esteemed composer J.S. Bach could avoid getting caught up in the current 🤣

Hey Bach fans, in honor of his birthday, today's Google Doodle features J.S. Bach!

We're hear to listen to organist Clara Gerdes perform works of Howell, Elgar and J.S. Bach. Hope you've managed to grab a seat!

We hope you enjoyed last night's opening concert featuring Timothy Parsons and works by Mozart, Vivaldi and J.S. Bach.

The Bach Festival continues today with two free concerts! Clara Gerdes will perform works by Howell, Elgar and J.S. Bach on the Kenneth Jones organ at St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad Street. This concert starts at 12:30pm. Then, at 4:00pm, our Young Artist Recital featuring up and coming new classical musicians will take place at Bishop Gadsen, 1 Bishop Gadsen Way.

On Sunday, our Bach Festival will conclude with a breathtaking performance of works by J.S. Bach and Handel directed by Ricard Bordas and featuring the Charleston Baroque Orchestra and Voices with Daniel Sansone, organ. 3:00pm at First (Scots) Presbyterian, 53 Meeting Street.

Tickets for Sunday's concert may be purchased in advance by visiting www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org or may be purchased at the door. $25 ($10 for students).

With so many wonderful events in Charleston this weekend such as the Wine + Food Festival, why not indulge your appetite for excellent Baroque music and enjoy the 2019 Bach Festival, too? Even better, our buffet of musical delights doesn't require a reservation and casual dress is just fine 😁

Our festival kicks off tonight at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church at 7:30 and features acclaimed countertenor Timothy Parsons. Tickets are $25 ($10 for students).

Check out www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org for more information on this weekend's concerts or to purchase tickets. Tickets for tonight's concert and Sunday's concert may also be purchased at the door.

The 2019 Bach Festival begins this Friday evening at 7:30pm with a not-to-be-missed performance of select works by Mozart, Vivaldi and J.S. Bach featuring Timothy Parsons, countertenor, and the Baroque String Players.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org or at the door.

“Brisk, fun and expressive” is how The American Organist magazine characterized last summer’s performance by youthful rising star Clara Gerdes at the National AGO Convention in Kansas City. Now this Davidson, NC, native, currently finishing her studies as a concert organist at the prestigious Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, brings her dazzling skills to Charleston, with a lunch-time recital on the 18th-century style organ at St. Michael’s Church, playing music of Bach, Howells and Elgar, on Saturday March 9th at 12:30 (free admission.) She brought 1000 organists to their feet in Kansas City; her Charleston Bach Festival debut promises to be just as spectacular. Not to be missed!

Friends, Bach Festival 2019 kicks off March 8. Don't miss our opening concert Friday, March 8 at 7:30pm featuring Timothy Parsons, countertenor, performing works of Mozart, Vivaldi and J.S. Bach. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org

Timothy Parsons is active as both soloist and ensemble singer in New York City, having performed with the Clarion Music Society, Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys (Fifth Avenue), Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, Oratorio Society of New York, The Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine, Canticum Scholare and weekly with the Schola Cantorum of St. Agnes. He is currently a member of the Grammy nominated Trinity Wall Street Choir. As a soloist he has been lauded for his “authority, ease, and elegant exuberance” and his singing has been praised by the New York Times as “particularly expressive, singing with pure, free tone.” As a performer of works old & new, he is confident and comfortable pushing the envelope as an interpreter...for more information about our guest artist please visit: www.bach-cantatas.com/bio/parsons-timothy.htm

Our 2019 Bach Festival is just around the corner...March 8-10. We hope to see you at one (if not all) of our thrilling performances.

Friday 3/8/2019, 7:30 PM
Works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and J.S. Bach
Timothy Parsons & Baroque String Players at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church

Saturday 3/9/2019, 12:30 PM
Clara Gerdes, Organ Recital
Works by Howells, Elgar & J.S. Bach at Saint Michael's Church

Saturday 3/9/2019, 4:00 PM
Young Artists Recital at Bishop Gadsen

Sunday 3/10/2019, 3:00 PM
Works by J.S. Bach & Handel
Ricard Boras, Conductor
Daniel Sansone, Organ
Charleston Baroque Orchestra and Voices at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church

Please visit www.bachsocietyofcharleston.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Last night's Bachanalia was a magnificent event! It was an evening filled with beautiful music, a wonderful lecture from guest author Prof. Christoph Wolff, and excellent wine. The event was a sold-out success and we look forward to making this an annual part of the Bach Society of Charleston's series. Many thanks to our gracious co-host, the Charleston Library Society, for the use of their superb venue and to the wonderful musicians and singers that filled the air with beauty. And finally, we sincerely appreciate Prof. Christoff Wolff for joining us to provide a glimpse into the genius who was J.S. Bach.

We hope you've enjoyed reading our Bach facts we've been posting daily in the lead up to Bachanalia. While today's little factoid is a somber one it no doubt reminds us that Bach was, without question, an extraordinary genius who continues to live through his body of musical works. We look forward to seeing everyone at Bachanalia tonight. 7:00pm. Library Society of Charleston, King St.

Thank you all! Tickets for BACHANALIA have been sold out. We're looking forward to meeting everyone Thursday evening and hearing Christoph Wolff speak.

To learn more about Johann Sebastian Bach please join us for BACHANALIA. Hosted by the Bach Society of Charleston in conjunction with the Charleston Library Society on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 7:00pm, Bachanalia will be an evening filled with music, wine and refreshments and a lecture by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Christoph Wolff, author of the New York Times best-selling biography "Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician."

For more information about Bachanalia and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://bachsocietyofcharleston.org/ #/events/2019-2020/bachanalia-2019

Uh oh! We forgot to post our Bach fact yesterday. Can you tell were just a little excited about BACHANALIA? Today is a two-for-one.

To learn more about Johann Sebastian Bach please join us for BACHANALIA. Hosted by the Bach Society of Charleston in conjunction with the Charleston Library Society on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 7:00pm, Bachanalia will be an evening filled with music, wine and refreshments and a lecture by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Christoph Wolff, author of the New York Times best-selling biography "Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician."

For more information about Bachanalia and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://bachsocietyofcharleston.org/ #/events/2019-2020/bachanalia-2019

Whew! It's been a busy day but we still wanted to pass along another interesting little Bach fact. Only 10 more days to go until BACHANALIA!

Hosted by the Bach Society of Charleston in conjunction with the Charleston Library Society on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 7:00pm, Bachanalia will be an evening filled with music, wine and refreshments and a lecture by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Christoph Wolff, author of the New York Times best-selling biography "Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician."

For more information about Bachanalia and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://bachsocietyofcharleston.org/ #/events/2019-2020/bachanalia-2019

With all the preparation for Bachanalia we almost forgot to post our daily Bach fact. Who knew he had a record???

To learn more about Johann Sebastian Bach please join us for BACHANALIA. Hosted by the Bach Society of Charleston in conjunction with the Charleston Library Society on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 7:00pm, Bachanalia will be an evening filled with music, wine and refreshments and a lecture by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Christoph Wolff, author of the New York Times best-selling biography "Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician."

For more information about Bachanalia and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://bachsocietyofcharleston.org/ #/events/2019-2020/bachanalia-2019