MAY 30–JUNE 7, 2025
The 2025 Charlotte Bach Festival features two of classical music’s most beloved and celebrated works: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem—performed by our renowned professional vocalists and period instrument masters.
FESTIVAL PASSES ON SALE NOW!
Premium Preferred Festival Pass: $395
Access to all public events
Reserved preferred named seating
VIP concierge
Invitation to private donor events
Free tickets to Amadeus screening
Festival tote bag and poster
General Admission Festival Pass: $295
Access to all public events
General admission seating
Free tickets to Amadeus screening
Festival tote bag
Festival Highlights
Opening and Closing Concerts
Saturday, May 31 • 7:30 pm
Bach: The Complete Brandenburg Concertos
Sandra Levine Theatre, Gambrell Center
Queens University of Charlotte
Featuring the Bach Akademie Charlotte Orchestra
Saturday, June 7 • 7:30 pm
Mozart: Requiem
Sandra Levine Theatre, Gambrell Center
Queens University of Charlotte
Featuring the Bach Akademie Charlotte Orchestra and Chorus
Friday, May 30 • 7:00 pm
Amadeus Screening
Independent Picture House
This screening of the 1985 Academy Awards® Best Picture includes a talk-back with keyboardist Ian Watson, who performed on the soundtrack.
Tickets are included in the 2025 Festival Pass.
Individual tickets will be available for this event directly through IPH.
Sunday, June 1 • 4:00 pm
Organ Recital
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Jerrick Cavagnaro of Trinity Church Boston
Winner of the 2024 National Competition in Organ Improvisation
Jerrick will also hold a Masterclass on Monday, June 2, 2:00 pm at Providence Methodist Church
Monday, June 2 • 7:30 pm
Threads Series
Music that highlights the influences Bach has woven throughout the musical world
Artist and Location TBA
Tuesday, June 3 • 7:30 pm
God So Loved
Kathryn Greenhoot Recital Hall, Gambrell Center
Queens University of Charlotte
Works by JS Bach, featuring Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV 68 (God so loved the world)
Led by cellist Guy Fishman, BAC Artistic Leader
Wednesday, June 4 • 7:30 pm
Artist Spotlight Series
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church
Gene Stenger, tenor, with Esther Jeehae Ahn, piano
Thursday, June 5 • 12:00 pm
The Bach Experience
Myers Park Presbyterian Church
JS Bach: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
(“Now come, Savior of the heathens”)
Thursday, June 5 • 7:30 pm
Follia & Fantasy
The Art of the Trio Sonata
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
String Sonatas by Antonio Vivaldi and JS Bach
Led by violinist Aisslinn Nosky, BAC Artistic Leader
Friday, June 6 • 12:00 pm
The Bach Experience
Myers Park Presbyterian Church
JS Bach: Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10
(“My soul magnifies the Lord”)
Friday, June 6 • 7:30 pm
Mozart at the Keyboard
The Genius Virtuoso
Myers Park Presbyterian Church
Featuring Cristian Makhuli, National YoungArts winner and celebrated concert pianist Esther Jeehae Ahn
Presented by Steinway Piano Gallery
Bach and Mozart
Bach Akademie Charlotte’s mission is to advance the spirit of community through the legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach’s transformational music.
So what is the connection between Bach and Mozart?
Mozart famously said, “Bach is the father. We are the children!” When he made that comment to his Vienna patron, Gottfried van Swieten, though, Mozart was not referring to Johann Sebastian Bach, but to Bach’s second son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. At the time, CPE Bach’s pared-down, melodic galant compositional style was as much in fashion as Johann Sebastian’s dense polyphonic style was out.
But at van Swieten’s musical salon gatherings, Mozart became increasingly fascinated with the “old music” of Johann Sebastian Bach (as well as that of Handel). Mozart’s study of J.S. Bach’s counterpoint included string trio and quartet transcriptions, and Bach’s influence can be heard particularly in such works as Mozart’s“Great” Mass in C minor, the Prelude (Fantasy) and Fugue in C major, and the finale of his Symphony No. 41 (“Jupiter”). As Mozart’s music presaged the Romantic period that followed, Bach’s influence traveled along with it—though Bach’s own music would be ignored until Sarah Levy and her great-nephew Felix Mendelssohn revived it in the 19th century.
Bach’s music has exerted its compelling influence on composers and musicians ever since. And it continues to weaves it unique magic to listeners today.
Dates, artists, venues, and repertoire are subject to change.