Festival Calendar for 2003/04

The Bach Festival’s own Marietta Simpson is a world-renowned performer, from La Scala, to Lincoln Center, to the Kimmel Center and Wolfgang Sawallisch’s farewell Beethoven 9^th concert in May, 2003. She joins the Main Line Ministerial Alliance Gospel Choir and the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Ardmore Choir, led by Harold Thompson in a rousing program of Bach and gospel favorites.

Sunday at 3 PM 
Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill 
8855 Germantown Avenue 
Philadelphia, PA 

Barbara Prugh performs regularly with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Orchestra 2001, and has been a star in this area since she played under Michael Korn in the early days of the Bach Festival. The first prize winner of the Musica Sacra Bach vocal competition, Tamara Matthews is a much-loved Philadelphia artist. Organist and Music Director Paul Fleckenstein, of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, has performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Radio City Music Hall. Their fascinating program will include Telemann, Handel, Scarlatti, and Bach’s demanding Cantata #51 “Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen” for soprano and trumpet.

Anner Bylsma returns after his sold out concert to perform Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello #2, 3, and 6. A winner of the Pablo Casals competition, Anner Bylsma is renowned for his technical skill and innovative interpretations of the Bach Cello Suites. His performances and recordings are numerous, including engagements with The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and The Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall. Co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

Friday at 8 PM 
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center 
260 S. Broad Street 
Philadelphia, PA 

An event for children and their families, the Bach Festival presents its annual Bach Birthday Party. The afternoon will feature musical demonstrations, games, coloring book, cake and ice cream, and a visit from Mr. Bach himself!

Sunday 3 PM 
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields 
8000 St. Martin's Lane 
Philadelphia, PA 

Organist and Master of Music at Westminster Abbey, Martin Baker enjoys a successful career as an organist, accompanist, and choral conductor, and has recorded with Hyperion and Deutche Gramophone. He was a featured artist at the USA National Organists Convention in 2002, and was the organist for Princess Diana's funeral, bringing world-wide recognition. Like Bach, he is particularly skilled at improvisation, and won the St. Alban’s Competition in improvisation in 1997.

Friday at 8 PM 
The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill 
8855 Germantown Ave. 
Philadelphia, PA