OUR 2023 FESTIVAL
2023 FESTIVAL LINE-UP
VIRTUOSO CONCERTO | Fri, May 26th | 8pm
Church of the Holy Trinity (19 Trinity Square)
THE WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER | Sat, May 27th | 12pm & 2pm
Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Ave)
KAFFEEHAUS | Sat, May 27th | 8pm
The Concert Hall (888 Yonge St)
ANNUAL LECTURE | Sun, May 28th | 1:30pm
Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Ave)
LEIPZIG CANTATAS| Sun, May 28th | 4pm
Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Ave)
VIRTUOSO CONCERTO
Friday May 26 | 8 PM
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY (19 Trinity Square)
Directed by Steven Devine
We are pleased to welcome this year’s guest artist, harpsichordist Steven Devine, as he makes his Toronto Bach Festival debut in one of Bach’s most striking concertos, the powerful Concerto in D minor for harpsichord. The program, taking place downtown Toronto at the beautiful Church of the Holy Trinity, will also include the rarely performed Concerto in C major for two harpsichords, featuring Mr. Devine alongside our own Christopher Bagan. Rounding out the evening will be the beloved Concerto in E major for violin, featuring festival concertmaster Julia Wedman, and a new transcription of Bach’s Italian Concerto, arranged and performed by Artistic Director John Abberger.
Featuring
Steven Devine, harpsichord
Christopher Bagan, harpsichord
Julia Wedman, violin
John Abberger, oboe
The Toronto Bach Festival Orchestra
Programme
Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
Italian Concerto in F major, after BWV 971
Concerto for Two Harpsichords in C major, BWV 1061
Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042
Concert Presenting Sponsors: Tom Bogart and Kathy Tamaki
Al and Jane Forest are the Concertmaster Patrons of Julia Wedman
Christopher Bagan is generously sponsored by John Gillies and Anne-Marie Prendiville
John Abberger is generously sponsored by Robert Rottapel and Miriam Myers
Program Notes are generously sponsored by Dorothy Russel
THE WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER
Saturday May 27 | Part I: 12 PM, Part II: 2 PM
EASTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH (310 Danforth Ave)
One of Britain’s most distinguished harpsichordists, festival guest artist Steven Devine will offer a complete performance of the iconic Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. Although these preludes and fugues were composed over a period of years, Bach revised many of them and assembled them into a magnificent manuscript copy in the year 1722, just before his move to Leipzig in 1723. Mr. Devine is the principal keyboardist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and is a frequent soloist with many ensembles around the world. His critically acclaimed recording of The Well-Tempered Clavier was released in 2019.
Presented in two parts (approx. 60 minutes each), this will be a perfect opportunity to explore the bustling Danforth community for refreshments between performances!
Featuring
Steven Devine, harpsichord
Programme
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, BWV 846–869
Part I at 12 PM will run approximately 60 minutes. Part II at 2 PM will run approximately 60 minutes. There will be a 1 hour break between performances.
Concert Presenting Sponsor: Margaret Catto
Program Notes are generously sponsored by Dorothy Russel
KAFFEEHAUS
Saturday, May 27 | 8 PM
THE CONCERT HALL (888 Yonge St)
Directed by John Abberger
Many of Bach’s instrumental works, as well as a significant number of non-religious vocal works were performed at Zimmermann’s coffee house in Leipzig. We are especially pleased and excited to welcome the distinguished Canadian actor RH Thomson in his Toronto Bach Festival debut as Herr Zimmermann as we inaugurate a new feature at this year’s festival, a recreation of the spirit of this important outlet in Bach’s creative life. Leave your formal concert etiquette at home, and join us at Toronto’s venerable Concert Hall for a relaxing evening of great music in a café setting.
Featuring
Rebecca Genge, soprano
James Gilchrist, tenor
Jonathon Adams, bass
The Toronto Bach Festival Orchestra
With Special Guest
RH Thomson
Programme
Coffee Cantata, BWV 211
Concerto for Violin and Oboe by Telemann
Concerto for Four Violins, Op. 3, No. 7 by Vivaldi
Concert Presenting Sponsors: Gordon and Pamela Henderson
RH Thomson is generously sponsored by Terence Corcoran
Al and Jane Forest are the Concertmaster Patrons of Julia Wedman
James Gilchrist is generously sponsored by Esther McNeil
Jonathon Adams is generously sponsored by Monica Armour
Rebecca Genge is generously sponsored by John Grant
Christopher Bagan is generously sponsored by John Gillies and Anne-Marie Prendiville
Program Notes are generously sponsored by Dorothy Russel
LEIPZIG CANTATAS
Sunday, May 28 | 4 PM
EASTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH (310 Danforth Ave)
Directed by John Abberger
When Bach arrived in Leipzig in late May of 1723 he came prepared to show the city what he could do as the director of music. The high point of the 2023 festival will be a celebration of the first cantatas that Bach performed in the principal churches of the city in the weeks after his arrival. As these works amply demonstrate, it was an auspicious beginning to a period of extraordinary creative output which saw the composition of over 100 cantatas in the course of the next four years. Join us as we celebrate this turning point in Bach’s life with some of his greatest cantata creations - not to be missed!
Featuring
Ellen McAteer and Sinéad White, sopranos
Daniel Taylor and Nicholas Burns, altos
James Gilchrist and Cory Knight, tenors
Jonathon Adams and Adam Kuiack, basses
The Toronto Bach Festival Orchestra
Programme
Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76
Concert Presenting Sponsors: Thomas MacMillan & Rachel Volynsky
Al and Jane Forest are the Concertmaster Patrons of Julia Wedman
James Gilchrist is generously sponsored by Esther McNeil
Daniel Taylor is generously sponsored by Brayton Polka
Christopher Bagan is generously sponsored by John Gillies and Anne-Marie Prendiville
Ellen McAteer is generously sponsored by Mary Ann Parker
Sinéad White is generously sponsored by Hartwig and Paola Mayer
Jonathon Adams is generously sponsored by Monica Armour
Kathryn Aducci is generously sponsored by Alec and Joyce Monro
Program Notes are generously sponsored by Dorothy Russel
ANNUAL BACH LECTURE
J.S. BACH: CANTOR, CAPELLMEISTER, DIRECTOR
Sunday, May 28 | 1:30 PM | EASTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH (310 Danforth Ave)
Presented by Daniel R. Melamed
During his years at the court at Anhalt-Köthen, the composer’s focus was primarily on instrumental works and keyboard works. The move to Leipzig necessitated a renewed focus on vocal works for the church, but did it really change Bach’s compositional outlook? Bach scholar Daniel R. Melamed will guide us through this interesting time in Bach’s creative life.
Mr. Melamed is Professor of Musicology at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Jim Fleck is the Presenting Sponsor of the annual Bach lecture
OUR VENUES
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY | 19 Trinity Square, Toronto, ON
Located just east of Bay St. beside the Marriott Hotel and behind the Eaton Centre.
A short walk from both Dundas Station and Queen Station (TTC).
The accessible entrance is on the south side of the church opposite Trattoria Mercatto restaurant.
EASTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH | 310 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON
Located on the north side of Danforth Ave., a block west of Chester Station (TTC).
The main entrance is on Danforth Avenue. The accessible entrance is off Jackman Avenue, on the east side of the church.
THE CONCERT HALL | 888 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Located on the northwest corner of Davenport Rd. and Yonge St.
A short walk north from Bloor-Yonge Station (TTC), and just one block north of the Toronto Reference Library. The accessible entrance is located along Davenport Rd., on the south side of the building.
