Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Bach Festival of Philadelphia

Name:

The Bach Festival of Philadelphia = Philadelphia Bach Festival

Location:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Venues:

St. Paul's Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia, PA
1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Years:

Since 1976 (Annual Festival & Cantata Series)

Months:

Oct-May

Artistic Director:

Michael Korn (1976- ???)
Jonathan Sternberg (2004-2008)
Matthew Glandorf (2009-Present)

Ensembles:

Bach Collegium
Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia

Website:

Bach Festival of Phildelphia

History & Mission:

At the heart of J.S. Bach's output are the Cantatas. Roughly 200 of them survive. It is not entirely known how many of them have been lost. It is my vision for the Bach Festival to bring the message of this powerful music into the communities of our city. I find in Bach's music a message of hope for those who are in despair, a message of peace to those who live in fear of violence, a message of comfort to those who grieve, and a message of joy for all who care to be touched by its sheer exuberance!

The Cantatas were meant to be “Public Music.” This is not music for Kings or a special few. They were intended for public performance in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig for the people of every echelon of society. I believe the power of this music holds the same today as it did then for all people, regardless age, creed or color.

Author: Matthew Glandorf

Logo:

1^st Season: 1976-1977

2^nd Season: 1977-1978

3^rd Season: 1978-1979

4^th Season: 1979-1980

5^th Season: 1980-1981

6^th Season: 1981-1982

7^th Season: 1982-1983

8^th Season: 1983-1984

9^th Season: 1984-1985

10^th Season: 1985-1986

11^th Season: 1986-1987

12^th Season: 1987-1988

13^th Season: 1988-1989

14^th Season: 1989-1990

15^th Season: 1990-1991

16^th Season: 1991-1992

17^th Season: 1992-1993

18^th Season: 1993-1994

19^th Season: 1994-1995

20^th Season: 1995-1996

21^st Season: 1996-1997

22^nd Season: 1997-1998

23^rd Season: 1998-1999

Thomanerchor Leipzig: Feb 1998

24^th Season: 1999-2000

25^th Season: 2000-2001

26^th Season: 2001-2002

27^th Season: 2002-2003

28^th Season: 2003-2004

29^th Season: 2004-2005

30^th Season: 2005-2006

30^th Season: 2005-2006 - Concert Art of Fugue

31^st Season: 2006-2007

32^nd Season: 2007-2008

Bach to the Future

Source: The Bach Festival of Philadelphia: Past Years Programs

Prepared by Aryeh Oron (February 2008 - November 2009)
Thanks to contributors: Guido Gaeffke (February 2008)