Berkshire Bach: James Bagwell Conducts Magnificat

12:11PM / Wednesday, May 08, 2024Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society continues its 2023-2024 season with a choral event on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 4pm when internationally known choral conductor James Bagwell leads professional soloists, chorus, and Baroque orchestra in two settings of Magnificat by father and son—J.S. and C.P.E. Bach—at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington.

"We're delighted to present James Bagwell, his incomparable singers, and members of The Berkshire Bach Ensemble in Magnificat, in a major choral event," said Terrill McDade, Executive Director of The Berkshire Bach Society. "The Magnificat, also known as the Song of Mary, is one of the oldest hymns in the Christian tradition and the source of inspiration for hundreds of composers over the centuries. The two versions by Bach senior and junior are among the most beloved. Mr. Bagwell has given us so many superb performances of choral works in the past and this year's promises to be another transcendent experience. We're excited to bring Magnificat to our audience and to share the joy, power, and glory of Baroque choral music at its finest."

The concert honors longtime Berkshire Bach chairman, Adrian van Zon, who joined the Board in 1997 and is in his 24th year as chair. As the longest-serving officer in the group's history, he continues to guide The Society in its mission of bringing high quality performances of Baroque music to the Berkshires and surrounding areas. Artistic Director Eugene Drucker comments that "knowing [Mr. van Zon's] love for both choral and instrumental music from the Baroque period, I can think of no better way to honor and thank him for his service to the community than through a performance of these two Magnificats under the expert and inspired direction of James Bagwell."

Tickets to Magnificat are available online at www.berkshirebach.org/events for best selection and at the door. Berkshire Bach member discounts apply. As always, children under 18 and Students with valid ID are admitted FREE.

The Berkshire Bach Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the oldest, continuously operating membership-based music organization in the Berkshires. The group encourages all music lovers to support The Society by joining, by helping sponsor a concert, and by volunteering at their events.

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Berkshire Bach Society Announces Two Organ Recitals

11:46AM / Friday, January 30, 2026

GREAT BARINNGINTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) announces two organ recitals on historic organs in Housatonic and Great Barrington as part of its Organ Masters series.

The recitals take place on Feb. 7, 2pm, at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic, and on May 2, 3pm, at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington with master organists Renée Anne Louprette and Peter Sykes.

"We celebrate Bach and his circle in our Organ Masters series and give our audience a chance to hear two of today's most distinguished organists bring the repertoire to life on important organs in our region," said Terrill McDade, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bach Society. "For good reason we've called the 1893 Johnson Organ at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic a hidden gem and the 1883 great Roosevelt organ at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington a remarkable and innovative instrument that defies comparison. Both organs have escaped modernization and kept their original voices. They sound very much the way they did when new—and that provides a unique musical experience. Combine the authenticity of the instruments, the virtuosity of the organists, and interesting repertoire and we have a recipe for two very special events."

According to a press release:

On Feb. 7, Renée Anne Louprette presents The Baroque Dance Masters with works by Bach, Georg Böhm, Dieterich Buxtehude, and Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, one of the most remarkable composers of the Baroque era. To enrich the audience experience, Louprette provides commentary during the program, demonstrates thematic material, and conducts a Q&A session after the recital. Notably, her program includes the Chaconne in G minor that was one of two pieces recently attributed to a young J.S. Bach and added to the catalog as BWV 1179. The work dates from 1705 when J.S. Bach was 20 and is one of the earliest finished works by him to survive. It dates from the same year that he traveled to Lübeck to hear Buxtehude perform, which had a profound impact on his compositional style. Berkshire Bach is pleased to give our audience an opportunity to hear the work live.

Renée Anne Louprette is Assistant Professor of Music and College Organist at Bard College where she directs the Bard Baroque Ensemble. She has performed on important organs throughout the world and in 2022-2023 received a Fulbright research grant to document the restoration of historic organs in Romania.

On May 2, Peter Sykes returns to play the great Roosevelt Organ in a mixed program of French organ music. Beloved by many, the Roosevelt was the most important organ in America at installation in 1883 and is the largest example that survives in largely its original form by innovative organ builder Hilborne Roosevelt. Cousin to presidents Teddy and Franklin, Hilborne Roosevelt established Roosevelt Pipe Organ Builders in 1870 and built many of the largest organs in America in the period. He introduced electricity into the workings of his instruments and coincidentally contributed to aspects of the early telephone, including inventing the automatic switch hook. His Great Barrington organ remains a sophisticated and expressive example of his craft that, in the hands of master organist Peter Sykes, inspires awe and can literally shake the rafters with its majesty, power, and beauty.

Join Berkshire Bach for The Organ Masters at 2pm on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic and 3pm on Saturday, May 2 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington. Tickets: $45 Nonmembers | $40 Berkshire Bach Members | $85 Two-concert package | $10 Card to Culture. Children and Students under 25 with valid ID are admitted free. Visit www.berkshirebach.org/events for more information, including tickets and specific venue information.

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