J.S.Bach Music Festival in Vilnius is an annual event celebrating artistic inspiration, providing the stage for exciting initiatives and featuring conceptually compelling programmes, with particular focus on the music of the great German composer. Under the artistic direction of Prof. Algirdas Vizgirda, flutist and artistic director of the Musica Humana ensemble, over a few years J.S.Bach Music Week has grown into an international J.S.Bach Music Festival, attracting audiences to the spectacular venues in Vilnius Old Town and inviting distinguished musicians renowned for their broad approach to the repertoire they perform. The first edition of the festival was held in March-April 2007. After ashort break, the festival resumed in 2009.
Programme 1
March 8, Sunday, 18.00
Vilnius Evangelical Lutheran Church
Performers:
MUSICA HUMANAChamber Ensemble
Artistic Director and Conductor ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA
Šiauliai State Chamber Choir POLIFONIJA
Artistic Director GEDIMINAS RAMANAUSKAS
Soloists:
VIKTORIJA STANELYTĖ (soprano)
VILIJA MIKŠTAITĖ (mezzo-soprano)
MINDAUGAS ZIMKUS (tenor)
NERIJUS MASEVIČIUS (bass)
BALYS VAITKUS (organ)
Programme:
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV 1069
Prelude and Fugue in D minor for organ, BWV 539
Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
Programme 2
March 15, Sunday, 16.00
Museum of Applied Art
Performers:
HIPOCHONDRIA Early Music Ensemble (The Czech Republic)
Artistic director JAN HADEK
Soloist PAVLA ŠTĚPNIČKOVÁ-JANDOVÁ (soprano)
Programme:
VÁCLAV VODIČKA – Sinfonia in C for strings and basso continuo
CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH – Concerto for harpsichord and sringsin D
JAN DISMAS ZELENKA – Lamentatio II ("Die Veneris sancto") for stringsand basso continuo
JIŘÍ ANTONÍN BENDA – Sonata for two violins and harpsichord
JOHANN ADOLPH HASSE – Salve Regina in A for viola, strings and basso continuo
FRANTIŠEK BENDA – Sinfonia in B flat major for strings andbasso continuo
Programme 3
March 22, Sunday, 18.00
Vilnius Evangelical Lutheran Church
Performers:
MUSICA HUMANAChamber Ensemble
Artistic Director and Conductor ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA
Vilnius Municipality Choir JAUNA MUZIKA
Artistic Director and Conductor VACLOVAS AUGUSTINAS
Soloists:
JOHANNES GEFFERT (vargonai, Vokietija)
ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA (fleita)
Programme:
CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH – Sonata in A minor for flute solo
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH – Works for organ
CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH – Sonata in G minor for flute solo
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH – Two motets for choir and instrumental ensemble
Programme 4
March 29, Sunday, 18.00
Vilnius Evangelical Lutheran Church
Performers:
MUSICA HUMANAChamber Ensemble
Artistic Director and Conductor ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA
Soloists:
RAMINTA VAICEKAUSKAITĖ (soprano)
CHARLES HUMPHRIES (countertenor, UK)
IGNAS MISIŪRA (bass-baritone)
ARVYDAS BARZINSKAS (trumpet)
Programme:
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Sinfonia from the Cantata No. 35 Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35
Cantata for soprano, trumpet and strings Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51
Cantatafor bass and basso continuo Amore Traditore, BWV 203
Sinfonia from the Cantata No. 21 Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21
Cantata No. 54 Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54
Programme 5
April 13, Monday, 18.00
Vilnius Evangelical Lutheran Church
Performers:
MUSICA HUMANA Chamber Ensemble
Artistic Director and Conductor ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA
JAUNA MUZIKA Choir of Vilnius Municipality
Artistic Director and Conductor VACLOVAS AUGUSTINAS
Soloists:
RAIMINTA VAICEKAUSKAITĖ (soprano)
CHARLES HUMPHRIES (counter tenor, UK)
MINDAUGAS ZIMKUS (tenor)
IGNAS MISIŪRA (bass-baritone)
ILONA GIRDŽIŪNAITĖ (violin)
KAROLINA BEINARYTĖ (violin)
Programme:
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH – Concerto for two violins, strings andbasso continuo in D minor, BWV 1043; Easter Oratorio, BWV 249