Main Concerts
All Main Concerts run approximately one hour with no intermission. You must be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 to attend Bach Festival concerts. Masks are required indoors at all concerts.
Reunion
Saturdays, October 23 & 30, 7:30 PM
Orchestra, Chorale, and Soloists conducted by Paul Goodwin
J.S. Bach, Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (The sprit gives aid to our weakness), BWV 226
George Frideric Handel, Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, HWV 76
A joyous reunion of our Festival family is eagerly anticipated. “Who else but Bach and Handel could represent our love of music as we renew the Festival in 2021?” asked Paul Goodwin.
Mass in B-Minor
Sunday, October 24 at 7:30 pm & Sunday October 31 at 4:00 pm
Orchestra and Chorale conducted by Paul Goodwin
J.S. Bach’s Mass in B-Minor is one of mankind’s most profound and astounding spiritual creations. The work is the apex of his lifetime of composition.
Pianist George Li
Sundays, October 24 at 3:00 pm
The Carmel Music Society in cooperation with the Carmel Bach Festival presents pianist George Li performing Bach, Beethoven and Liszt in a free concert.
Brandenburgs
Mondays, October 25 and November 1, 7:30 PM
Concertmaster Peter Hanson with members of the Festival Orchestra
The Festival’s Baroque virtuosi are featured on the Monday main concerts, performing two of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti, along with two Vivaldi classics for multiple solo violins.
Dido and Aeneas
Tuesdays, October 26 & November 2, 7:30 PM
Orchestra, Chorale, and Soloists conducted by Paul Goodwin
Dido and Aeneas presents an impeccable demonstration of composer Henry Purcell’s sophisticated sense of drama and skill in vividly setting words to music.
The Art of Courtly Love
Wednesdays, October 27 & November 3, 7:30 PM
Chorale conducted by Andrew Megill
Songs interspersed with readings from “The Art of Courtly Love” by Andreas Cappelanus. Music from Roland de Lassus, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Ravel, and others.
Spirit of Spain— Folk & Baroque from the Iberian peninsula
Thursdays, October 28 and November 4, 7:30 PM
Edwin Huizinga, violin and William Coulter, guitar, known as Fire & Grace, return after a three-year run of wildly popular, sold-out concerts. The duo is joined by dancer Fanny Ara, and CBF Orchestra and Chorale Musicians.
Orchestral Treasures
Fridays, October 29 & November 5, 7:30 PM
Orchestra conducted by Paul Goodwin
Friday night’s all-orchestral program presents three gems from Rossini, Wagner and Beethoven.
Chamber Concerts
Young Artists’ Showcase
Saturday, October 30, 2:30 PM
The Carmel Bach Festival Young Artists Competition recognizes talented young musicians from the Central Coast. This showcase presents accomplished young soloists, pianists, instrumentalists, vocalists, and chamber ensembles performing on the Sunset Center main stage.
Violin and Lute in the 17th Century
Tuesday, November 2, 1:00 PM, Sunset Center Theater Foyer
Principal Second Violinist Cynthia Roberts, and Adam Cockerham, lute perform works by Schmelzer, Kapsberger, Castello, Piccinini, and Biber.
Handel and Friends
Wednesday, November 3, 3:00 PM, Sunset Center Theater
Soprano soloist Clara Rottsolk is joined by violinists Patricia Ahern and Johanna Novom, cellist Eva Lymenstull, and Dongsok Shin on the harpsichord performing Handel, Buxtehude, and Bruhns.
Flute Legacy and Impressions
Thursday, November 4, 1:00 pm, Sunset Center Theater Foyer
Flutists Dawn Walker and Teresa Orozco perform solo and duet works for flute by composers such as Quantz, CPE Bach, Telemann, Debussy and more.
Heart & Song: Hidden Gems That Connect the Soul
Thursday, November 4, 3:00 pm, Sunset Center Theater
Soprano Linda Lee Jones and tenor Jos Milton, are joined by Ginger Kroft, clarinet, Chris Cooper, horn and Cullan Bryant, piano, performing Schubert, Vaughan Williams, Jenner and Reinecke.
Songs of Hope, Healing and Happiness
Friday, November 5, 3:00 pm, Sunset Center Theater
Tenor soloist Thomas Cooley and Donald Sulzer, piano perform works by Hailstork, Barber, Rorem, Price, Fennimore and others.