Rich storytelling, high drama and bold ideas. Be drawn into magnificent operatic worlds with music from the towering giants of the Baroque, conducted by Emmanuelle Haïm.
Evening in the Palace of Reason: The Musical Offering
May 1747: Frederick the Great, philosopher-king of Prussia, meets composer Johann Sebastian Bach – and challenges him to an unwinnable musical duel. Bach’s Musical Offering is the astonishing result.
1.30pm, Talk Introduction by author James R Gaines (Evening in the Palace of Reason)
2.30pm, Concert
J S BachSonata in E minor for violin and continuo BWV 1023
Frederick the GreatSonata for flute and continuo in C minor
J S BachSonata in E major for violin and harpsichord BWV 1016
C P E BachSonata II in C minor, Prussian
J S BachPartita in D minor for solo violin BWV 1004
5pm, Panel discussionA group of Bach experts dig deep into the contrasting mindsets of J S Bach and Frederick the Great
7.30pm, Concert
C P E BachSonata in G minor for viola da gamba and cembalo obbligato
Bach meant The Art of Fugue to be the pinnacle of his life’s work, and even incomplete, it’s still an unparalleled feat of imagination, intelligence and sheer joy in the act of creation.
Benjamin Appl and the Academy of Ancient Music create an evening that’s both a musical self-portrait of and a deeply moving homage to this most timeless of all composers.
J S BachSinfonia from Ich steh mit einem Fuss in Grabe, BWV 156
‘Willkommen, werter Schatz!’ from Schwingt Freudig euch empor, BWV 36
‘Am Abend, da es kühle war’ from St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
‘Mache dich, mein Herze, rein’ from St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
Mv I of Violin Sonata No 4 in C minor, BWV 1017
Ich habe genug, BWV 82
Sinfonia from Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal, BWV 146
Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56
Sinfonia from Ich habe meine Zuversicht, BWV 188
Air from Suite No 3 in D major, BWV 1068
‘Es ist vollbracht’ and 'Jesu deine Passion' from Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159
'Jesus bleibet meine Freude' from Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147
Three of Britain’s most celebrated jazz performers join forces to direct Guildhall’s WBP Big Band in a programme including works by Count Basie and Big Fat Brass by the legendary Billy May.
Guildhall School presents Frances Poet’s Gut, winner of Best Play at the 2019 Writers’ Guild, and shortlisted for the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.
