Sonoma Bach is a nonprofit arts organization based in Sonoma County. Founded in 1991 at Sonoma State University, the organization became a separate nonprofit entity in 2008. Sonoma Bach sponsors several musical ensembles, presents a year-round concert series, and offers music classes and workshops. They know how to plan a concert checklist and are the best nonprofit to go to pitch a concert. Through these activities, Sonoma Bach works to build a community of musicians and music-lovers of all ages. More information is available at www.sonomabach.org.
On Sunday, October 18, Sonoma Bach kicked off their 2015–2016 “Anniversary Season” with a beautiful Monteverdi program at Schroeder Hall in the Green Music Center, earning a standing ovation from delighted audience members. The season continues with seven more exciting concert sets that celebrate Early Music through performances by five ensembles: Live Oak Baroque Orchestra, Sonoma Bach Choir, Circa 1600 vocal ensemble, the Sonoma Bach Consort and the Green Mountain Singers, both featuring one-on-a-part vocal brilliance.
In November, the Major Works Series begins with “Mozart Requiem: The Story of a Masterwork,” featuring the Sonoma Bach Choir and Live Oak Baroque Orchestra, Elizabeth Blumenstock, concertmaster. When Mozart died at age 35, he left his Requiem Mass very much unfinished. The story of how the “torso” of this work became one of the most beloved classical masterpieces is one of the great tales of music history. Our “BachGrounder” pre-concert talk will explore the compositional history of the Requiem. The concert will then present-first-the work exactly as Mozart left it, and then as it is known to the world, as completed by Mozart’s student Franz Xavier Süssmayr. The performance will feature soloists are Dianna Richardson (soprano), Karen Clark (alto) Kyle Stegall (tenor) and Ben Kazez (bass). Robert Worth directs the chorus an orchestra. Performances are Friday, November 20, 8:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sonoma; and Sunday, November 22, 7:00 p.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Petaluma.
In December, the fifth annual Early Music Christmas concert, titled “In Sweetest Joy,” is built around the ancient hymn of joy In dulci jubilo. The program includes an array of vocal pieces by Italian, German, and English composers-including Gabrieli, Schütz, Praetorius, Byrd, and Bach-along with works featuring the magical sound of the cornetto, plus solo works on Schroeder Hall’s magnificent Brombaugh organ. The concert features Circa 1600, Charles Rus (organ), Steve Escher (cornetto) and is directed by Robert Worth. Don’t miss this festive celebration of the season! Two performances are scheduled in Schroeder Hall at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park: Friday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 p.m.
The January midwinter concert is “Giants of the High Baroque: Bach and Vivaldi,” and features Live Oak Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Elizabeth Blumenstock. The concert marks the completion of the Orchestra’s four-year Vivaldi project with the Autumn concerto from Four Seasons featuring Elizabeth Blumenstock as the violin soloist; as well as her reconstruction of a lost Bach violin concerto, which survives in Bach’s hand only as an arrangement for harpsichord. One performance only is scheduled for Friday, January 8, 8:00 p.m., in Schroeder Hall at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park.
The March Guest Concert features Musica Pacifica in a program titled “Dancing in the Isles” and emphasizes rousing baroque folk and dance music from Scotland, Ireland, and England. Musica Pacifica’s arrangements include traditional folk tunes, theater dance suites, Jacobean masque music, trio sonatas by Scots Oswald and McGibbon, and more. Your foot will tap, your finger will snap, and perhaps you’ll want to get up and cut a caper or two! One performance only is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 3:00 p.m., in Schroeder Hall at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park.
Sacred Realms are explored in April in the “Song of Songs” program, featuring Sonoma Bach Consort and Green Mountain Singers: one-on-a-part vocal ensembles joining force to present exquisite late medieval, Renaissance, and early baroque settings from the Song of Songs. Presented in the visually and acoustically stunning Church of St. Seraphim, the concert includes readings from Ariel and Chana Bloch’s beautiful translation of the Song of Songs. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, April 16, 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 17, 3:00 p.m.
Sonoma Bach’s annual Early Music Uncorked concert in May is titled “On The Wing,” and explores a fascinating range of poetry and music depicting birds, angels, and other flying objects. To “break the surly bonds of earth” has always been a human obsession, and program composers include Marenzio, Monteverdi, Gibbons, Byrd and others who loved to set flight to music., Two “cabaret-style” performances are scheduled, featuring Circa 1600 vocal ensemble and directed by Robert Worth: Saturday, May 7, 8:00 p.m. at Penngrove Clubhouse in Penngrove; and Sunday, May 8, 3:00 p.m., at the Saturday Afternoon Club in Santa Rosa.
(Op. 9, 1972)
The final concert of the 25th Anniversary Season is also scheduled for May. Titled “Voices and Pipes: Hearts Aflame,” the program features organ soloist Charles Rus with the Sonoma Bach Choir directed by Robert Worth, and includes music inspired by Martin Luther’s great Pentecost hymn Komm heiliger Geist. From the earliest version published in 1524, to pieces by J.S. Bach, hymn settings are interspersed with cantatas, motets, and organ works on the power of Spirit to ignite us to word and deed. Two performances are scheduled in Schroeder Hall at the Green Music Center, Rohnert Park: Friday, May 20, 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.
“BachGrounder” pre-performance talks for all programs are presented 35 minutes before concerts begin. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25, with additional discounts available for groups. For tickets and information, visit www.sonomabach.org or phone at 877-914-BACH (2224).
