Events

The Art of the Fugue Lecture-Recital

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 | Performing Arts Center Pavilion

Bach’s mastery of counterpoint in general, and the fugue in particular, has served as an inspiration for generations of composers. Composer Meredith Brammeier, Bach Week Co-Director David Arrivée, university Organist Paul Woodring and special guests will present an exploration of the fugue with an interactive dive into the inner workings of this complex compositional technique. Selections from Bach’s “The Art of Fugue” will be performed by Woodring on harpsichord and a string quartet led by Cal Poly violin instructor Emily Lanzone. This work, left incomplete at the time of Bach’s death, is the culmination of the composer’s lifelong pursuit and a compendium of counterpoint.

Free admission

Instrumental Master Class and Continuo Workshop

Thursday, Jan. 19
11:10 a.m.-1 p.m., Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218

For the first half, guest artists Leif Woodward, cello, and Ian Pritchard, harpsichord, will coach Cal Poly students in instrumental repertoire from the Baroque era, with a focus on historically informed performance. During the second half, the guest artists will coach students in effective continuo playing, which is the foundation of all Baroque music.

Free admission

Vocal Master Class

Thursday, Jan. 19
3:10 p.m., Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218

Guest artist Mindy Ella Chu will coach several Cal Poly voice students in repertoire from the Baroque era.

Free admission

Chamber Concert: Bach Reconstructed/Deconstructed

Friday, Jan. 20
7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo

A concert titled “Bach Reconstructed/Deconstructed” will be presented by the world-class, period instrument ensemble Tesserae Baroque, and renowned guest vocalists Rebecca Myers, soprano, and Michael Jones, tenor. Works by Bach will be performed that have only survived in “secondary” versions since the originals have been lost. These include a trio sonata for recorder and violin, based on Bach’s A-Major Flute Sonata; Organ Sonata No 5, performed as instrumental trio; and extracts from reconstructed cantatas.

Tickets ($20 general, $10 students)

*Discount Bundle Available: $30 general, $15 students if you purchase both the Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 concerts

Bach Week Finale: 'Bach and the German Chorale'

Saturday, Jan. 21
Two performances! 2 and 7:30 p.m.*, First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo

Members of Cal Poly’s Chamber Choir, Symphony and faculty will join with guest artists to perform a variety of works based on German chorale tunes and texts. The first half will include a series of motets. The Chamber Choir will begin with a short chorale motet by Heinrich Schütz, who influenced Bach. Then the vocalists will join the choir to perform Bach’s celebrated motet “Komm, Jesu Komm,” followed by two motets by Johannes Brahms, created in the style of Bach. The orchestra will perform Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor under the leadership of Tesserae Baroque. The second half will feature one of Bach’s greatest chorale cantatas: “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78. 

Tickets ($20 general, $10 students)

*Discount Bundle Available: $30 general, $15 students if you purchase both the Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 concerts

*Bach Week Co-Director Scott Glysson will give a pre-concert lecture at 6 p.m. prior to the 7:30 p.m. performance, which is included in the ticket price.