Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
BachFest Cochabamba

Name:

BachFest Cochabamba

Location:

Cochabamba, in the heart of Bolivia which is the heart of South America

Venues:

The Palace at Centro Simón I. Patiño, a building which belongs to the Patiño Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland and the Universidad de San Simón, the state university in Cochabamba. Convento de Santa Teresa, a colonial church in the heart of the city

Years:

Since 2008 (Annual Festival)

Months:

March-April

Artistic Director:

Elizabeth Schwimmer, harpsichordist/pianist/conductor. Founder and main organizer of the BachFest

Ensembles:

BachFest Ensemble
SumaqWayra Consort
BachFest Chorale
Coro Madrigalista
Orquesta Hombres Nuevos

Website:

Bachfest Bolivia

History & Mission:

In September, 2007, Bolivian Pianist/Harpsichordist/Conductor Elizabeth Schwimmer, together with the German flutist Benjamin Kiersch, started a festival dedicated to the interpretation and study of the music of the great J.S. Bach.

On March 6, 2008, the first BachFest in Bolivia took place with the participation of 60 musicians, both Bolivians and some foreigners invited to participate in the festival. During a whole month, the Bolivian public enjoyed J.S. Bach’s music. The BachFest Chorale was created, a small chamber choir of 16 members. Also, the BachFest Ensemble was formed. The festival was a big success, with full house concerts in every event.

In 2009, 120 musicians from all over Bolivia came to Cochabamba to perform. Some musicans from other countries came to participate. The American cellist, Crispin Campbell came to perform the 3 sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord. Ligia Gutierrez, a Baroque Soprano from Madrid participated in the Cantata BWV 106 Actus Tragicus as well as the Argentinean tenor, Rafael Montero. In 2009, the cantata BWV 4 Christ lag in todesbanden was performed by the BachFest Corale and Ensemble and young singers from Cochabamba had their first time in their lifes singing solos by Bach.

During the BachFest 2010 a summer extension (summer in Bolivia is from December 21 to March 21) was offered to the public. The Magnificat (BWV 243) was performed for the first time in Bolivia. All the wind players where invited from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Mexican Baroque tenor, Adolfo Mendoza joined us for the performances. The concerts were a tremendous success.

This year, 2011, the BachFest will have, among others, the outstanding double bass player Richard “Dobbs” Hartshorne who will be playing his own transcription of the 6 Suites for Cello Solo. The Catalonian Baroque violinist Jorge Jiménez will also participate playing a solo violin recital.

The mission of the BachFest Cochabamba is simply that: to study, perform and enjoy J.S. Bach's wonderful works.

Recent Festivals:

1^st Festival: Mar 13-Apr 3, 2008
2^nd Festival: Mar 21-Apr 18, 2009
3^rd Festival: Mar 26-May 4, 2010

4^th Festival Mar 19-Apr 9, 2011
5^th Festival: Mar 21-Apr 8, 2012

Logo: