BACH@Bath275 – Including music for Candlemas

Continuing his project to play the complete works of Bach in this anniversary year, internationally acclaimed organist and Abbey Music Director, Huw Williams, performs music from Bach’s liturgical repertoire for Candlemas – also known as the festival of light.

This concert opens with Bach’s uplifting and joyful Prelude and Fugue in G major BWV 541 which is one of his most popular pieces (partly as it has featured on the grade 8 organ syllabus for many years in the past!). There are two atmospheric chorale preludes for Candlemas Mit Fried’ und Freud’ fahr‘ ich dahin BWV 616 and Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf BWV 617. The Prelude and Fugue in D minor BWV 539 (sometimes nicknamed the ‘fiddle fugue’ as it began life as a violin solo) is unusual in not having a pedal part and has a spirit and buoyant energy created by many enjoyable echo effects. The evening concludes with Bach’s youthful and optimistic Prelude and Fugue in D major BWV 532. This is an early work and is full of fun and rhythmic drive. Enjoy a glass of wine and a lively hour of uplifting music in the beautiful surroundings of Bath abbey