The 87th Season of the Carmel Bach Festival Celebrates the “Passions” of Bach and Beyond

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA — The Carmel Bach Festival is delighted to present its 87th season celebrating the “Passions” of Bach and Beyond, running July 13-27, 2024.

The season offers eight Main Concert programs featuring performances of well-known masterworks, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Bach’s St. John Passion, Arvo Pärt’s Passio, Grieg’s Concerto for Piano, excerpts from and beloved vocal works by Mozart, Barber, and Bernstein, and more.

The Festival also boasts a range of inspirational chamber concerts featuring ensembles of Festival musicians—from intimate string quartets to wind octet arrangements of famous arias in the Harmoniemusik tradition—plus a melange of free pre-festival events, community concerts, traditional Tower Brass performances, masterclasses, and more.

"I am thrilled to return to Carmel this summer for my second season," says Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Grete Pedersen, "The atmosphere and shared experiences we have are unique. I am looking forward to collaborating with the incredible musicians on J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, and works written by living composers such as Missy Mazzoli.

This year's Family Concert, The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus: Myths, Legends & Heroes will take place on Saturday, July 20 at 11:00AM at the Sunset Center Theater, and explores the world of mythology, legends, and heroes from around the world through music. This event is free and will be followed by an after concert event that includes 13 vendors and a photo op with the Monterey Bay Football Club.

Season Info

Soloists

The Festival is honored to welcome five gifted soloists for the 2024 season: Clara Rottsolk, soprano; Abigail Nims, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Staples, tenor; Dashon Burton, bass-baritone; Eric Lu, piano.

Nims was previously a participant in the Virginia Best Adams Masterclass. The Festival is delighted to welcome her as a first-time soloist alongside newcomer Andrew Staples.

Saturdays, July 13 and July 20 at 7:30PM

The St. John: A Global Passion

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
A touching and powerful program featuring J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion in celebration of its 300th anniversary—the first “big” Bach work to be conducted by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Grete Pedersen at this Festival.

Sundays, July 14 and July 21 at 7:30PM

Beethoven Nine: Be Embraced 

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
During this Sunday evening program, Festival musicians embark on a meditative study beginning with Anton Bruckner’s Locus iste—an exploration of the sanctity of place—followed by the sounds of silence in John Cage’s 4′33″ and culminating with Beethoven’s triumphant Symphony No. 9.

Mondays, July 15 and July 22 at 7:30PM

Timespan

Conducted by Peter Hanson, Concertmaster
A delightful program including Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter, Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, charming works by Rameau in the French Baroque style, and more.

Tuesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 5:00PM 

Arvo Pärt’s Passio: A Modern Passion

Conducted by Andrew Megil, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities
An intimate performance of Arvo Pärt’s Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem at Monterey First Presbyterian Church.

Tuesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 7:30PM

Dreams & Idylls

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
An evening of engaging, timeless melodies, including music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 for soprano and orchestra, Haydn‘s Symphony No. 49, “La Passione,” and Mozart arias from The Magic Flute.

Wednesdays, July 17 and July 24 at 8:30PM

Bach’s Library

Conducted by Andrew Megill, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities
A program of excerpts from Vivaldi, Lotti, and Zelenka, along with To the Hands by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw at the beautiful Carmel Mission Basilica, with the traditional procession by candlelight.

Thursdays, July 18 and July 25 at 7:30PM

Across the Sea – A Celtic Journey

Enjoy a Celtic journey on Thursday nights with the music of Bach and traditional Irish music performed by Fire & Grace (Edwin Huizinga, violin; William Coulter, guitar) and guests Maeve Gilchrist, harp; Brian Finnegan, irish whistles and flute; and Andrew Megill, tenor.

Fridays, July 19 and July 26 at 7:30PM

These Worlds in Us: Grieg, Mazzoli, & Beethoven

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
A concert of blockbusters: Grieg’s Piano Concerto, one of the most popular works of its kind with melodies and rhythms inspired by traditional Norwegian folk music, Missy Mazzoli’s These Worlds In Us, and Beethoven’s legendary Symphony No. 5.

This year’s chamber concert programs explore the many “Passions” of Bach and Beyond, with concerts spanning an exciting array of configurations, including the Festival’s traditional All Bach organ recitals, romantic solo piano recitals, emotionally expressive string quartets, passionate opera arias, and more.

Pre-Festival Concerts

Friday, July 5 at 7:00PM, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

First Fridays in Pacific Grove

Take a break and go inside the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Listen to great chamber music for flute, cello, and harp as you explore the various exhibits. Seating will be provided for this 1-hour concert.

*This event is sponsored by the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

Wednesday, July 10 at 4:00PM, Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel

In the Stacks

Browse the Harrison Memorial Library stacks and enjoy our woodwind trio (flute, clarinet, and bassoon) as they play music by Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Muczynski, and Devienne.

Thursday, July 11 at 7:30PM, First Presbyterian Church of Monterey

Shakespeare in Song

Enjoy Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Shakespeare Songs by Matthew Harris, Three Madrigals by Emma Lou Diemer, and George Shearing’s Music to Hear.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 3:00PM

Fresh Tradition: Sacred and Profrane

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | Music that connects us—this “sacred and profane” recital opens with a transcendent solo work and slowly progresses from spirit to human through fantasy, farce, and passion.

Patient Passion

Tuesdays, July 16 and 23 | True passion requires patience and this program explores patient passion and how it has been translated into music.

Cantatas and Lamentations

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | This one-to-a-part cantata series features the Festival soloists as the vocal consort performing the Trauerode, BWV 198 by Bach, and Lamentations of Jeremiah by Zelenka.

Allen Whear Memorial Concert

Thursday, July 18 | The string quartet explores the theme of passions on an intimate scale, presenting diverse works with a wide emotional range.

Meet the Composer: Lili Boulanger

Fridays, July 19 and 26 | Take a stroll through the chamber music of French composer Lili Boulanger.

Longing: Messages of Peace, Hope, and Love

Saturdays, July 20 and 27 | The program features the music and voice of Jonathan Woody and explores the relationship between spoken language and musical language, particularly through the lens of the human experience of longing.

Sunset Center Foyer, 1:30PM

Class of ’85

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | The stars aligned in 1685 when three towering geniuses were born that year—J.S. Bach, George F. Handel, & Domenico Scarlatti. This concert celebrates their stellar careers.

Italian Modern

Tuesdays, July 16 and 23 | This program is a celebration of the originality and inventiveness of Italian art. Music by Castello, Sciarrino, Fontana, Marini, and Leonarda.

Cello and Company II

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | Music of passion, virtuosity, and excitement through the centuries that brings out the expressive and soloistic ranges of the violin, viola, and cello in a chamber music setting.

Plucked and Bowed: Trios for Harp and Strings

Thursdays, July 18 and 25 | This eclectic program represents a variety of music and styles, featuring composers Henriette Renie, Germaine Tailleferre, Lou Harrison, and Joubert.

The Little Match Girl Passion

Fridays, July 19 and 26 | David Lang’s Little Match Girl Passion is a modern, minimalist, and deeply moving interpretation of the Passion story from a secular perspective. This work is Lang’s response to Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

Sunset Center Theater

An Afternoon with Eric Lu

Sunday, July 21 at 2:00PM | Eric Lu, winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, presents a recital in the Sunset Center Theater.

Wind Divas: Stolen from the Opera Stage

Saturday, July 27 at 11:00AM | Continuing the Harmoniemusik tradition, enjoy a night at the opera! Be enchanted with beloved opera arias—filled with passion and revenge—in a unique and intimate setting.

Carmel Mission Basilica

All Bach Organ Recital

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | Join Andrew Arthur, Principal Keyboard and Director of the Twilight in the Cathedral concert, for an organ recital.

Church of the Wayfarer, 3:00PM

Allen Whear Memorial Concert

Thursdays, July 25 | The string quartet explores the theme of passions on an intimate scale, presenting diverse works with a wide emotional range.

Church in the Forest, 5:00PM

Quartets in the Forest

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | An evening of string quartet featuring Janácek’s “Kreutzer Sonata” and Beethoven’s Quartet for Strings in Bb Major.

San Carlos Cathedral, 5:00PM

Twilight in the Cathedral

Thursdays, July 18 and 25 | This concert is a beloved tradition at the Festival led by Andrew Arthur.

Cypress Community Church, 7:00PM

Community Concert: Bach’s Back!

Thursday, July 25 | Enjoy listening to Festival chamber ensembles in this 1-hour concert that is a beloved part of our community engagement. This free community concert is suitable for the entire family!

The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus: Myths, Legends & Heroes

Saturday, July 20 at 11:00AM
FAMILY CONCERT | Join Leonard & Rasmus as they explore the world of mythology, legends, and heroes from around the world through music in this interactive family concert.

Young Artists’ Showcase

Saturday, July 27 at 2:00PM
The Young Artists’ Showcase features outstanding student musicians from the Central Coast.

Baroque and Classical Academy Showcase

Friday, July 26 at 1:00PM
The Baroque & Classical Academy Showcase Concert at Carmel Presbyterian Church. Throughout the month of July, selected musicisns (Ela Kodżas, violin and viola; Annemarie Schubert, violin and viola; Eliana Estrada, violin; and Luka Stefanović) will participate in a series of free public masterclasses and receive private lessons and chamber music coaching, culminating in a Showcase concert.

Virginia Best Adams Masterclass Showcase

Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 PM
The Virginia Best Adams Masterclass is a training program for Baroque vocalists led by Michael Beattie. This year’s musicians (Addy Sterret, soprano; Slyvia Leith, alto; Blake Beckemeyer, tenor; Jason Augustus Rober, bass) will participate in six public masterclasses followed by their showcase performance of Baroque Masterpieces with Festival Orchestra musicians.

Ticket Info

  • Discounted ticket prices are available for students, active and retired military, and children.
  • Tickets are on sale now at www.bachfestival.org
  • Most Main Concerts will be presented without intermission and run about 75 minutes.