Bach Around the Clock

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Bach Around the Clock

The Brandenburg Players during recording for the 2021 Bach Around the Clock festival closing concert (left to right): Derek Reeves, Marika Fisher Hoyt, John Chappell Stowe, Anton TenWolde, Marilyn Fung, Charlie Rasmussen, Eric Miller.

(2021 pick) This annual celebration of the March 21 birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach has traditionally been a day-long event featuring regional players performing the composer's works. For this virtual edition, Bach Around the Clock expands to a 10-day schedule of performances submitted by local performers, with new music posted at 8 a.m. daily; following its premiere, all content will remain available for the length of the festival. Still to come in the evening is a master class by Kreutzer String Quartet violist Clifton Harrison (7 p.m., March 24) and the grand finale concert featuring the Brandenburg Players (7 p.m., March 26), an ensemble including BATC artistic director Marika Fischer Hoyt, Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble founding member Anton TenWolde, Fort Wayne Philharmonic principal violist Derek Reeves, and others. Find the streaming content at bachclock.com.

press release: Bach Around The Clock is Madison's annual celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Held every March close to Bach’s birthday (March 21), it offers all members of the musical community, from young students to seasoned professionals, the opportunity to perform selections by this sublime composer to an appreciative audience.

We're planning a hybrid BATC festival that will include both virtual performances and in-person performances for a live audience. Performers can choose from three options:

• submit your own recording in advance to be included in the virtual program
• have your performance videotaped at a BATC venue; these performances will be included in the virtual program
• perform in-person for a live audience at a BATC venue

Click HERE to let us know if you'd like to perform or if you have questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sneak peek at the 2022 schedule:

BATC 2022 will be mix of live performances, workshops and interactive events, plus recordings of all performances for viewing later on-demand. Artistic director, Melanie de Jesus, is working closely with the BATC board of directors to bring back the beloved community marathon format, if COVID conditions permit, and to add new events to expand opportunities and access.

Here is a partial list of programs planned. Watch for updates and new developments!

Day 1: Wednesday, March 16  

12 noon Just Bach concert at Luther Memorial

6 pm  “Do we really need period instruments to play Bach?” presented by Kangwon Kim with Tami Morse. Location TBA

Dr. Kim is concertmaster and assistant artistic director of Madison Bach Musicians. Tami Morse is a harpsichord specialist.    

Day 2: Thursday, March 17  

Hourly  Pre-recorded performances submitted by amateur and professional musicians from Madison and beyond will be released virtually

3:30pm UW-Whitewater music students & faculty perform Coffee Cantata. Live at UW Whitewater, with recording to be released Sunday.

Evening  Piano Master Class by BATC guest artist  Lawrence Quinnett.  For late intermediate and advanced students of all ages.

Dr. Quinnett is Assistant Professor of Piano and Music Theory at Livingstone College   

Day 3: Friday, March 18  

12 noon  Noon Musicale, First Unitarian Society, Madison, presents BATC guest artist, pianist Lawrence Quinnett: Partitas #1 and #2

Dr. Quinnett will also make a studio recording of all six partitas to be released on the BATC YouTube channel

Evening  Program TBA

Day 4: Saturday, March 19  Festival at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison

9 am  Bach for Kids Workshop. Presented by the Madison Conservatory

10 am  Guest artist Lawrence Quinnett: Partitas #3 and #4

11 am  Chorale Sing Along: Five chorales in English

Ken Stancer conducts the St. Andrew’s Choir and organ, with the Madison Conservatory faculty string quartet.

11:30 am  Organ works by the Association of Church Musicians, Madison chapter

12:30 pm  Guest artist Lawrence Quinnett: Partitas #5 and #6

1:15 pm – ?  Would you like to perform? Sign up here

Evening  Program TBA   

Day 5: Sunday, March 20th  Virtual Viewing Parties

Festival recordings, watch parties, interviews and conversations with our audience and  performers, to be released hourly throughout the day on this website and our YouTube channel.