Saturdays, July 12 and July 19 at 7:30PM

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Stravinsky – Pulcinella Suite, Haydn – "Harmoniemesse"

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

The Carmel Bach Festival’s 2025 theme, Dialogues, is beautifully expressed through this program, which explores connections across time, culture, and artistic expression. Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, originally composed for a ballet, will be performed with projections of Pablo Picasso's set design sketches for the piece.

Sundays, July 13 and July 20 at 3:00PM

Bach’s Mass in B Minor

J.S. Bach – Mass in B minor

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, is a landmark of Western classical music and a profound example of his compositional artistry. This work, often described as Bach’s “cathedral in sound,” reflects not only his devout faith but also a vision of music as a universal language.

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

Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven

J.S. Bach – Ricercar a Six, Haydn – Harpsichord Concerto in D major, and Beethoven – Symphony No. 1 in C major

Conducted by Peter Hanson, Concertmaster. Soloist, Andrew Arthur, harpsichord.

Monday evening’s program offers a rich tapestry of musical voices, presenting works by Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven that explore the art of innovation and transformation.

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

Mozart Requiem

Mozart – Solemn Vespers for A Confessor, Mozart – Requiem, and Peteris Vasks’ Dona nobis pacem (Grant Us Peace)

Conducted by Andrew Megil, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities

The Tuesday evening program is centered around Mozart’s Requiem, K. 626, his final, unfinished masterpiece. Left incomplete at the time of his death, the Requiem is both a deeply personal reflection and a timeless communal expression of mourning and hope.

Wednesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 8:30PM

Reflections – At the Carmel Mission

Bach, Byrd, Allegri, and contemporary works inspired by them

Conducted by Andrew Megill, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities

Wednesday night’s program, set in the serene and historic Carmel Mission, explores centuries of choral music that embodies spiritual reflection, human fragility, and the quest for transcendence. The sacred space enhances the program’s theme, providing a fitting backdrop for works that bridge past and present, faith and artistry.

Thursdays, July 17 and July 24 at 7:30PM

Nordic Folklore

Scandinavian Traditions in Song featuring the Nyckelharpa

Edwin Huizinga and William Coulter invite you to join them for a captivating evening of folklore inspired by the rich musical traditions of Scandinavia, featuring nyckelharpa player Olov Johannson.

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

Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony

Mozart – Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter,” Jessie Montgomery – Starburst, and Schumann – Concerto for Cello

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. Soloist, Paul Dwyer, Cello.

Friday night opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst, a vibrant work inspired by the imagery of rapidly shifting constellations, and culminates in Mozart’s final Symphony No. 41 in C major, “Jupiter,” whose nickname reflects the work’s majestic character, evoking the commanding presence of the Roman god.

Saturday, July 26 at 7:30PM

Closing Night

Best of the Fest

Favorite selections from the Festival are performed in this closing night concert that celebrates music, Carmel, the musicians of the Bach Festival, and the Festival’s loyal patrons. The program is a sampler of musician and audience favorites from throughout the two-week Festival, and is followed by a celebratory reception on the Sunset Center Terrace, toasting the conclusion of the 88th Festival.

Chamber music is often referred to as the "conversation of instruments," where each performer has a distinct voice, and together they create a rich, intricate dialogue. Our musicians carefully curate these programs, creating a deep, personal connection to the works they perform.

Sundays, July 13 and July 20 at 7:30PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Ahead of Her Time – Candlelight Concert

This program brings together the works of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Jessie Montgomery, and J.S. Bach—four composers united by their innovative spirit.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 11:00AM | Carmel Mission

All Bach Organ Recital

Enjoy an afternoon of Bach’s organ music in the historic Carmel Mission Basilica. Performed by Andrew Arthur, Principal Keyboardist and Director of Twilight in the Cathedral, this recital highlights the beauty of Bach’s works.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Meet the Composer: Isabella Leonarda

This year, we are spotlighting Isabella Leonarda, an extraordinary 17th-century composer who defied expectations as a nun to become one of the most prolific female composers of her time. Known for her intricate and expressive sacred works, Leonarda’s music is rich with emotional depth and masterful counterpoint.

Tuesdays, July 15 and 22 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Timeless Inspirations

In Honor of Allen Whear
The concert features pieces that mirror and reflect one another, from Bach’s Contrapunctus No. 6 to quartets by Haydn, Siremen, and Mozart. Each work echoes elements of the others, highlighting the interconnectedness of these composers and how their influences shaped their pursuit of musical mastery.

Wednesdays, July 16 and 23 at 5:00PM | Church in the Forest

Schubert's Death and the Maiden

Death and the Maiden is one of Franz Schubert’s most gripping and emotional works, written during a time of personal turmoil. Through its dramatic contrasts, haunting melodies, and moments of tenderness, the quartet captures the tension between fear and acceptance, making it a profound meditation on mortality and the human condition.

Thursdays, July 24 at 5:00PM | San Carlos Cathedral

Twilight in the Cathedral

Featuring the timeless works of Rosenmüller, Handel, Bach, and Corelli, this program captures the elegance and spirituality of Baroque music in the serene beauty of the San Carlos Cathedral.

Fridays, July 18 and 25 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Fear & Hope

In this powerful program, Bach’s Cantata: Selin ist der Mann (BWV 57) and Cantata: Erfeut euch, ihr Herzen (BWV 66) explore the emotional extremes of fear and hope—human vulnerability and resilience—showcasing Bach’s ability to capture the deepest aspects of the human experience.