The Key Chorale Presents Bachtoberfest

September 27, 2023 – Sarasota

On October 13-15, Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Church of the Redeemer present its unique take on Oktoberfest, with a 3-day festival celebrating the music and genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Enjoy four amazing concerts featuring the stunning virtuosity of soprano Mary Wilson, trumpeter Aaron Romm, vocalists, and chamber orchestra. Concluding with a Biergarten Experience of German food, beers from Calusa Brewing, and music from Bill Milner’s Oompah Band. Bach and Beer – a perfect combination!

Featured guest artists include Aaron Romm, trumpet; Mary Wilson, soprano; Thea Lobo, Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano; Lily Wohl, mezzo-soprano; Matt Morgan tenor; and David Tinervia, baritone. 

Two monumental works by Bach, his Magnificat and his Cantata No. 21, Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (My heart was deeply troubled), will be performed honoring the 300^th anniversary of their premieres. The festival will present four distinctive concerts showcasing the best of Bach from his organ works, to instrumental pieces, to choral masterworks.

Each concert will also feature a motet. These are virtuosic wonders for choir. Intricate, challenging and joyous. Two of the motets performed are for two, 4-part choirs working in tandem, but often antiphonally with each other. These eight voice parts will be doubled with a group of woodwinds and a group of strings, helping the listener to hear the interplay between each of the choirs.

“Certainly, the top shelf of all of Bach’s motets is Singet dem Herrn ein neus Lied(Sing unto the Lord a New Song), said Maestro Joseph Caulkins. “It is a firework display of virtuosity, of polyphonic richness – and the most challenging and difficult of the motets to perform. When Mozart first heard this piece, he was known to have said ‘Now there’s something you can learn from!’”

Saturday’s concerts will feature music of Bach played on period instruments, instruments from the time of Bach himself. Sam Nelson will be the featured organist for a special afternoon recital followed by an exquisite evening of chamber music that he will lead. The concert concludes with Bach’s motet for 5-part choir and continuo, Jesu, meine Freude, performed using one voice per part.

Maestro Caulkins will conduct the opening and closing concerts with choir, soloists and professional chamber orchestra. Trumpeter Aaron Romm will be featured in both programs in the festive Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 and joyous Cantata No. 51, a tour de force for trumpet and soprano soloist Mary Wilson.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

Friday, October 13

Kick-Off Prost! Join us for a German Beer before the concert 6-7 PM

Opening Concert, 7:30 PM
A quartet of soloists, trumpet, flute, oboe, and violin provides a festive sparkle to one of Bach’s most popular orchestral works, his Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Chamber Singers and soloists perform Bach’s festive Cantata No. 21 and the virtuosic double choir motet Singet dem Herrn.

Saturday, October 14, 11:30 AM

Organ Recital & Bach’s Lunch

Forget all your preconceptions about organ music and bask in the kaleidoscope that is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Followed by a delightful Bach’s lunch.

Saturday, October 14, 7:30 PM

Period Instruments Chamber Music Concert

A rare opportunity in Sarasota – baroque music on instruments made during the time of J.S. Bach. Gut strings, musical delicacy and nuance, and buttery tonalities will all be a part of this special chamber music concert.

Sunday, October 15, 4:00 PM

Closing Concert

Voices, trumpets, and timpani ring out with joy as we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Bach’s mighty Magnificat and present the jubilant Cantata No. 51 for solo trumpet and soprano Mary Wilson.

Sunday, October 15, 5:30 PM

Biergarten Experience

A Biergarten Experience of German food, beers from Calusa Brewing, and music from Bill Milner’s Oompah Band.

All concerts & Biergarten take place at Church of the Redeemer

222 S Palm Ave., Sarasota

To purchase tickets the individual concerts, visit www.keychorale.org or call 941-552-8768 to reserve the best seats. Purchase the 3-day pass and save 15%!