In the world of classical music, few years stand out as profoundly as 1685. It was in this remarkable year that three of the Baroque era’s most influential composers were born: George Frideric Handel (February 23), Johann Sebastian Bach (March 21), and Domenico Scarlatti (October 26). Though they never met, these titans shaped the course of music history in ways still felt today. Now, 340 years later, their works continue to inspire, captivate, and move audiences around the world.
The Calgary Bach Choir invites you to step back in time and experience the beauty of the Baroque era. This concert not only showcases the brilliance of Handel, Bach, and Scarlatti but also highlights the rich mix of international influences that shaped their music. The Baroque period was a time of artistic exchange, with composers drawing inspiration from different cultures. Handel and Bach, both from northern Europe, blended Italian and French styles into their music, while Scarlatti, from the Mediterranean, embraced the lively rhythms and colours of Spain and Italy. This concert brings that vibrant fusion of styles to life, immersing you in a world where music knew no borders.
The program features a selection of masterful works that captures the spirit of the ‘International Baroque.’ Bach’s Cantata 62 returns to the Calgary Bach Choir’s repertoire for the first time since 1992, offering a long-awaited revival of this beautiful piece. Adding to the excitement, three works will be performed for the first time by the choir: Scarlatti’s Miserere, the Avison/Scarlatti Concerto Grosso No. 1, and Handel’s Utrecht Jubilate.
“On a personal note, these pieces have been on my performing ‘bucket-list’ for at least two decades,” says Calgary Bach Choir’s Artistic Director, Terry Edwards. “I fell in love with them around the turn of the millennium. If these works are new to you, we hope that you will fall in love with them too, and if they are familiar to you, then we aspire to rekindle your love affair with them.”
The concert showcases guest soloists Andrea Hill (soprano), Aoife Bonaventura (alto), and Peter Monaghan (bass-baritone), with a chamber orchestra accompanying the choir and soloists.
340: A Celebration of Bach, Handel & Scarlatti is more than just a concert—it’s a chance to step into the splendour of 1685 and experience the beauty of the Baroque era. Don’t miss this unforgettable musical journey through a defining moment in history.
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Attending the concert? Bring gently used novels and non-fiction books to support the choir’s Book Drive fundraiser!
More info and tickets