Madison Bach Musicians

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courtesy Madison Bach Musicians

Musicians for Madison Bach Musicians' March 2024 concert.

Musicians for Madison Bach Musicians' March 2024 concert: Immanuel Davis, Trevor Stephenson, Kangwon Kim, Nathan Giglierano and –BAROQUE FLUTE, James Waldo.

$38 adv.; livestream also available, $20.

media release: Bach's Musical Offering, with Immanuel Davis, flute

First Unitarian Society Landmark Auditorium, Madison

Friday, March 1–7:15 pm lecture/8 pm concert

Saturday, March 2–12:45 pm lecture/1:30 pm concert

Madison Bach Musicians is delighted to present one of J.S. Bach’s crowning achievements in musical architecture, Musicalisches Opfer. Bach composed this set of ten puzzle canons, two ricercars, and a grand four-movement trio sonata—all based upon a single theme—immediately upon his return to Leipzig from a visit to Frederick the Great’s court at Potsdam in May of 1747. On May 7, after a long day’s carriage ride from Leipzig, Bach had arrived at Frederick’s palace Sanssouci (Carefree) and was immediately summoned by the King to appear forthwith at the evening’s usual musical gathering. Frederick provided Bach with a gnarled, highly chromatic tune and from asked Bach to improvise upon it. Without hesitation, Bach played extempore an intricate three-voiced ricercar (fugue) upon the theme, to the jaw-dropping astonishment of the many distinguished musicians present (Frederick employed a whole stable of great players, including one of J.S. Bach’s supremely talented sons, C.P.E. Bach.) Hardly impressed, Frederick asked for a six-part realization. Bach said he would be happy to work it out, but on paper. The cryptically entitled Musicalisches Opfer—Musical Offering—is what Bach created in just a few weeks’ time. He then paid to have it engraved on copper plates, printed, and sent to Frederick. Never one to forego a challenge, Bach ended the work with the monumental six-part ricercar.

Musicalisches Opfer is a consummate fusion of brain and heart. In it, Bach once again illuminates the realm where intellect and spirit are inextricable.  

Immanuel Davis–FLUTE, Kangwon Kim & Nathan Giglierano–VIOLINS, James Waldo–CELLO, Trevor Stephenson–HARPSICHORD

“Never miss the idea that architecture and music belong together. They are practically one.” —Frank Lloyd Wright

In-person tickets 

(including on-demand access to the concert recording through March 16)

$38 — In-person concert attendance purchased in advance; seniors at the door

$40 — In-person general concert attendance purchased at the door

$10 — Student rush in-person attendance purchased at the door, if available

March 2 Livestream only tickets — $25 (available on-demand through March 16)

Purchase tickets online, at the door, and at Willy Street Co-ops and Orange Tree Imports.