A rich mixture of talks, discussion, masterclass and performance, with John Butt (Gardiner Professor of Music, Glasgow University, and Bach scholar and writer, Director of Dunedin Consort & Players) and Robert Quinney (Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey, recitalist, recording artist). Schedule: 9.30am Registration and Coffee; 10am-11.30 'Who's in charge?' The multiple roles of the organist in Bach's time, presented by John Butt; 11.45am-1.15pm Specialised subjects: structure and meaning in Bach's organ fugues or 'How do Bach's fugues make us feel?', with Robert Quinney. Lunch (not provided). Then, 2.15pm-3.45 Masterclass: John Butt works with organ students from the Royal College of Music; Tea; 4.15-5pm Forum Round-up with John Butt, Robert Quinney, Ann Elise Smoot and William Whitehead.
7pm Concert: 'Hearing Bach's Voice: Organ, Chorale and Passion' (with audience participation in chorales). Steinitz Bach Players directed by Alison Bury, with Leo Tomita (countertenor). JS Bach's Prelude in B minor, BWV544; Chorale Prelude & Chorale 'O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV618; Cantata: 'Vergnügte Ruh beliebte Seelenlust', BWV170 ; Chorale Prelude and Chorale: 'Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund', BWV621; Aria: 'Erbarme dich' (from 'St Matthew Passion', BWV244; Aria for organ and solo violin, second version of Sonata in G, BWV1019; Cantata: 'Widerstehe doch der Sünde', BWV54 ; Chorale Prelude and Chorale: 'Nun danket alle Gott', BWV657 ; Fugue in B minor, BWV544.
(Part of the London Bach Society's twenty-second Bachfest, this year around the theme 'About the St. Matthew Passion', given in partnership with the Royal College of Organists for their tenth annual London Organ Forum.)