FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Francisco • January 14 2019
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American Bach Soloists Return to Their Roots with a Program of Favorite Bach Cantatas
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Nearly 30 years ago, the American Bach Soloists established their initial and primary focus on the rich repertoire of Bach’s more than 200 cantatas. Each one is an amalgam of dramatic rhetoric and musical inventiveness, flawlessly and expertly combined by the genius composer who is still, to this day, the most important influence on generations of composers since.
For decades, ABS has invited audiences to participate in their performances of cantatas by encouraging all to sing the final chorales of each cantata, the movement that was meant to capsulize the essence of each cantata’s meaning and purpose.
We’ve been thrilled to see other Bay Area musical organizations take up the same idea, and in February we invite you to join us again through your own musical contribution as we celebrate 30 years by looking back to the beginning (or, “Bach” to the beginning!) with a program of four cantatas that helped establish the solid reputation of ABS as California’s leading Bach ensemble. In fact, ABS’s acclaimed recording of “Favorite Cantatas” is at the core of February’s programs, complemented by Bach’s German setting of the Magnificat text,
Meine Seel erhebt den Herren
(“My soul magnifies the Lord”).
American Bach Soloists’ Music Director Jeffrey Thomas commented on the occasion of February’s upcoming celebration of ABS’s musical roots:
- “The astonishing variety of musical sounds and effects and the inspiration provided by Bach’s musical and dramatic depth in the cantatas is really unparalleled in all other categories of Bach’s works. Each cantata—a mini-drama as effective as operas five times as long—provides never-ending opportunities to our musicians to dig deeper and to draw upon every aspect of their performance and interpretive skills in order to reveal the astonishing complexity of Bach’s creative soul and spirit. And the sheer excitement that musicians feel when they render and perform this peerless music is palpable. In these cantatas, one is always wondering, ‘What inspiring music awaits us next?’ ”
For both cantata devotees and those new to this music, the passion and the soul-searching impetus found in these beautiful works are both compelling and exciting, especially in the hands of noted Bach interpreter, Jeffrey Thomas. ABS’s instrumental and vocal ensembles, critically celebrated for their attention to detail and sensitivity, will be joined by a solo vocal quartet of Bach specialists, each one recognized as a premier interpreter of the repertoire.
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Nola Richardson
(soprano), who originally hails from Australia, has been praised by the
New York Times
for her "beautiful tone" and the
Washington Post
for her “astonishing balance and accuracy,” “crystalline diction” and “natural-sounding ease.”
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Jay Carter
(countertenor), a frequent collaborator with both period and modern ensembles, is recognized as a leading interpreter of late Baroque repertoire and has been lauded for his luminous tone, stylish interpretations, and clarion delivery.
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Zachary Wilder
(tenor) is praised for his work in repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries and is sought after on concert and operatic stages worldwide, having recently performed Bach’s
"Christmas Oratorio"
with Bach Collegium Japan.
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Tyler Duncan
(baritone), born in Canada, now resides in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York and recently performed Bach’s
Ich habe genug
with Les Violins du Roy, and Bach’s
Saint Matthew Passion
in Hungary and Germany with Helmut Rilling.
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FAVORITE CANTATAS
Friday February 15 2019 8:00 p.m. • St. Stephen’s Church, Belvedere
Saturday February 16 2019 8:00 p.m. • First Congregational Church, Berkeley
Sunday February 17 2019 4:00 p.m. • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco
Monday February 18 2019 7:00 p.m. • Davis Community Church, Davis
Bach:
Meine Seel erhebt den Herren
, Cantata 10
Bach:
Jesu, der du meine Seele
, Cantata 78
Bach:
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
, Cantata 80
Bach:
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
, Cantata 140
Nola Richardson
soprano
• Jay Carter
countertenor
Zachary Wilder
tenor
• Tyler Duncan
baritone
American Bach Soloists & American Bach Choir
Jeffrey Thomas
conductor
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ABOUT JEFFREY THOMAS
Renowned for his experience, knowledge, and sensitivity for the music of the Baroque, Jeffrey Thomas’s preparation of the major works of the repertory such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor,
Saint Matthew Passion
, and Handel’s
Messiah
have led to inspired, definitive performances that have become synonymous with the ensemble he has led with such distinction.
San Francisco Classical Voice
said, “Jeffrey Thomas is still pushing the musical Baroque envelope.” [
MORE
]
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ABOUT AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS
American Bach Soloists are leading performers in the field of Baroque music, dedicated to historically informed performances of Bach and his contemporaries. ABS provides meaningful, memorable, and valuable musical experiences for our audiences through inspiring performances and recordings, and it supports the preservation of early music through educational programs for students and emerging professionals. [
MORE
]
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Additional Press Resources:
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American Bach Soloists
44 Page Street, Suite 403
San Francisco, CA, 94102
415-621-7900 • press@americanbach.org
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TICKETS: 800-595-4TIX (-4849)
INFORMATION: 415-621-7900
STAY CONNECTED
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We Thank our Sponsors
The American Bach Soloists are grateful for the support of these and other Foundations, Corporations, Government Agencies, and Individual Sponsors
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