Bach’s groundbreaking concertos

Groundbreaking in their diversity of invention, Johann Sebastian Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos (BWV 1046–1051) stand among the greatest creative achievements of the 18th century. Bach’s exploration of innovative combinations of orchestral instruments reveal an astonishing breadth and depth of tonal flavors and textures. Each of the 14 different instruments deployed (with the exception of the double-bass) features as a soloist in at least one of the concertos. 

From hunting horns and death-defying trumpet solos to plaintive recorders and wild harpsichord cadenzas, the Brandenburg Concertos reveal Bach’s unparalleled creative powers. They are some of the liveliest and most colorful music of their day.

Presented as Six Concerts Avec plusieurs instruments (Six Concertos for several instruments) and dedicated to Christian Ludwig, Margrave (Military Commander) of Brandenburg-Schwedt, Bach’s six concertos were quite likely an attempt to gain employment. Bach presented the concertos in 1721 (though he likely composed them earlier), but it’s conceivable they were performed in Christian Ludwig’s lifetime. The six concertos were sold upon Christian’s death and placed in an attic, and were only re-discovered by a servant who was cleaning the attic—in 1849. Today, the Brandenburg Concertos remain among the most popular orchestral works of the Baroque era—or of any era, for that matter.

Musicians

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Visit the festival home page >

• The Complete Brandenburg Concertos
• Jerrick Cavagnaro: Organ Recital
• Threads: Pius Cheung, Goldberg Variations
• All in the Familie: JS Bach & Sons Chamber Music
• Artist Spotlight: Gene Stenger
• Tuning In: JS Bach's Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
• Follia & Fantasy: The Art of the Trio Sonata
• Tuning In: JS Bach's Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10
• Mozart at the Keyboard: The Virtuoso Genius
• Mozart Requiem

FESTIVAL SPONSOR

RODNEY C. PITTS

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