July 17 – August 1, 2009
America's most important Bach festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, returns in 2009 with 15 days of performances, talks and educational events. As in previous years, the focus is not only on Bach, but also on the many artists he influenced, such as Handel, Hayden, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Schubert, Verdi, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Brahms, and more.
This year, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Felix Mendelssohn and death of Franz Joseph Haydn, there will be several concerts that juxtapose the work of Johann Sebastian Bach with that of Mendelssohn or Haydn.
Music Director and Conductor Bruno Weil has developed an exciting schedule, with 16 beautiful main concerts held in the Sunset Center Theater and Carmel Mission Basilica, as well as 25 intimate recitals. 14 free pre-concert talks provide insight into the history and evolution of the works being performed. Gala dinners give guests the opportunity to enjoy fine food and magical performances. In the days leading up to the official start of the festival, visitors will even have the opportunity to attend several open rehearsals. View the full schedule at the Carmel Bach Festival website.
Carmel Bach Festival attendees will have at least two opportunities to see the seven different main concert programs. While some programs have a particular piece at their center, others use many works to give insight into an artist or the evolution of a musical form.
Works performed in their entirety include Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Beethoven's Symphony Number Three and Piano Concerto Number 4 and Haydn's The Creation.
The unique program "Haydn Seek" will use narration and selections from throughout Haydn's career to illuminate his work, while "Mission Magnificence" showcases not only Bach's Magnificat but also choral works from ten other composers. Elizabeth Wallfisch directs "The Five Seasons of Bach," which includes the work of both Bach and Mendelssohn.
Venues, schedules and settings are as diverse as the repertoire. Main concerts will be held in Carmel-by-the-Sea's beautiful Sunset Theater and Carmel Mission Basilica. Other events will be held in churches, theaters and other public venues including the newly restored San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, the Church in the Forest in Pebble Beach, the National Steinbeck Center Museum in Salinas, the Robert Stanton Theater in King City and the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside. One special concert will even be held at Stamford University's majestic Memorial Church.
The Carmel Bach Festival works to make the inspiring music of Bach and his heirs accessible to everyone, with both many free events and a broad range of ticket price points. Tickets can be purchased through the Carmel Bach Festival's official ticketing site.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY info@mccvb.org
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2009 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
