Gunther Schuller leads Bach Festival

Published: January 20, 2009

Pulitzer Prize-winning conductor Gunther Schuller, named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress and recently inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, is artistic director of the 31st annual Northwest Bach Festival, Jan. 23-31.

The festival opens with a recital by Mark Kroll on harpsichord and piano, 8 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Marie Antoinette Room at the Davenport Hotel ($25); and guest artist James David Christie of Boston performs on the organ at St. Augustine Catholic Church at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 ($10). Dr. Jane Ellsworth of Eastern Washington University offers a talk prior to each concert at 7:30 p.m.

A chamber music concert, at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at St. John’s Cathedral, includes J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major ($15-$25).

The Bach Festival Orchestra, under Schuller’s baton, gives the Festival Finale, 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at St. John’s; soloists Janet Brown, Krista River, Rockland Osgood and Donald Wilkinson add their voices to works by Bach, Heinrich Schutz and Mozart ($15-$30).

Schuller offers presentations prior to the last two concerts and conducts the finale.

Tickets are $10-$30 per conert or $69 for a three-concert series; call 509-326-4942 or visit www.nwbachfest.com for details.