This annual event begins its 2019 program with a live Classical MPR broadcast from our home at The Summit Center for Arts and Innovation.

Co-sponsored by Classical Minnesota Public Radio, American Public Media’s Pipedreams, the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music, the Before Bach’s Birthday Bash (BBBB) consists of five free hour-long performances of music by Johann Sebastian Bach (born March 21, 1685), featuring but by no means limited to organ repertoire. Other performances will take place at venues on or along Summit Avenue: at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (10:30 am), St. Clement Episcopal Church (1 pm), Unity Unitarian Church (2:30pm) and The House of Hope Presbyterian Church (4 pm).

Participants in the first-hour’s program include Matthias Maute, Music Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota, David Cherwien and the National Lutheran Choir, and members of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

---

The performance at SPCM will feature the following pieces and performers.

J.S. BACH:  Prelude in C, BWV 545

J.S. BACH: French Suite No. 2 in C, BWV 813
  Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Air- Menuet – Gigue
Performed by Joseph Kyung Jun Park, piano (student of Kyung Kim)

J.S. BACH: Partita in A for Solo Flute (Recorder), BWV 1013
Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Bourrée angloise
Performed by Matthias Maute, recorder (director, Bach Society of MN)

J.S. BACH: Chorales and Orgelbüchlein Chorale-Preludes
Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 642
Performed by David Cherwien, organ; National Lutheran Choir/Adam Reinwald, assistant conductor

J.S. BACH: Motet, Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230
Performed by National Lutheran Choir/Adam Reinwald, assistant conductor

J. S. BACH: Fugue in C, BWV 545