Embrace the joyous spirit of the season and start a new tradition with the Seattle Bach Festival’s presentation of J.S. Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachts-Oratorium), parts 1, 2, and 3. Immerse yourself in this radiant masterpiece, a collection of cantatas designed to be performed during the Christmas season. From triumphant fanfares featuring trumpets and timpani to tender lullabies and glorious choruses, Bach’s genius shines through in every movement. Experience the captivating narrative of the Nativity story, told with unparalleled musical richness and emotional depth.

Majestic room, grand choir, unforgettable music. Join us for the seasonal performance of selections from Handel’s well-loved masterpiece. Refreshments, hot chocolate and reception to follow. 

Performing as concertmaster with the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra.

Florence Price — Dances in the Canebrakes

Maurice Ravel — Piano Concerto in G (feat. Julian Garvue)

Amy Beach — Symphony in E minor, op. 32 “Gaelic”

Second Performance

Yaniv Attar conductor
Kinan Azmeh clarinet

Johann Strauss II Tales from the Vienna Woods
Schubert Symphony No. 2
Jacobsen/Aghaei Ascending Bird
Kinan Azmeh Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra

Join us in October for music and merriment! A mini Oktoberfest opens the concert—local beers from Camp Colvos paired with Viennese favorites by Schubert and Johann Strauss II, the Waltz King. The party continues on the second half with the radiant Ascending Bird, followed by acclaimed clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performing his own, electrifying Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra.

Repeat performance at Kaul Auditorium

A few repeating notes. Infinite possibilities. PBO explores how Baroque composers built entire musical worlds upon a ground bass—the steady heartbeat of their music. Beginning with Purcell’s delicate chamber works and Pachelbel’s iconic Canon in D, the program expands into the vibrant orchestral textures of Muffat, Albinoni, Vivaldi, and Handel.

Whether playful, elegant, or profound, these pieces remind us that repetition is not stagnation but a foundation for endless invention.

Performances at 6:15 and 8:30

Second performance of Bach & Vivaldi concert

The Epiphany Choir & Orchestra
Zach Hemenway, conductor

Danielle Reutter-Harrah, soprano
Brigid Lucey Miletich, soprano
Jay Carter, countertenor
Lyon Stewart, tenor
Zachary Lenox, baritone
Jillon Stoppels Dupree, harpsichord

Experience the joy of Vivaldi’s Gloria, the radiant choruses of Bach’s Cantata 147 (Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben) including Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and the dazzling virtuosity of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Performed by the Epiphany choir, baroque orchestra, and amazing soloists, this program showcases the vitality, beauty, and spirit of these Baroque favorites. 

Program:

Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D major, BWV 1050 – Johann Sebastian Bach
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 –Johann Sebastian Bach
Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11, No. 2, RV 277 “Il favorito” – Antonio Vivaldi
Gloria in D Major, RV 589 – Antonio Vivaldi

With works inspired by nature and art, this program inspires the heart, ear and mind. Join us in the historic Forum at Town Hall Seattle for an incredible afternoon of great music.

Lisa Bergman, narrator

Franziska Pietsch, violin

Jonathan Pasternack, conductor

Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra

Port Angeles High School Choirs

John Lorentzen, director

Sequim High School Choirs

Florin Baros, director

SMITH/DAMROSCH  The Star-Spangled Banner

COPLAND  Hoedown, from Rodeo

CUSTER  Star Trek Through the Years

KORNGOLD  Violin Concerto

BRITTEN  Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

BERNSTEIN  Make Our Garden Grow from Candide

WARD  America the Beautiful

MONCAYO  Huapango

Come here the complete sextet perform the recently recorded Album of originals by Ben Thomas.

Ben Thomas – bandoneon/vibes, Eric Likkel – clarinet, Laura Coronel and Libby Phelps – violin, Gabe Hall-Rodrigues – piano, Steve Schermer – bass

Ben Thomas – bandoneon

Libby Phelps – violin

Gabe Hall-Rodrigues – piano

Steve Schermer – bass

Monteverdi to Milonga

Repeat performance at St. Augustine’s in the Woods

Join the Whidbey Island Music Festival for an enchanting evening of Venetian Baroque music, where the timeless allure of the sea takes center stage. From the tempestuous fury of Vivaldi’s concertos, evoking crashing waves and stormy skies, to the sensuous and romantic melodies of gondola songs, this concert captures the beating heart of Venice's maritime soul.

Just as Venice's history is inextricably linked to its lagoon, Whidbey Island's spirit is shaped by its coastline. You’ll experience the maritime heritage of Venice through the exquisite artistry of Baroque masters, and celebrate the eternal connection between Venice and the sea.

From Campra’s Carnaval de Venise, Vivaldi and Torelli’s exquisite concertos, arias by Hasse and popular gondola songs from the 18th century, this is a trip to Venice you can make all in one afternoon!

Repeat performance at Reed College.

Repeat performance at Mount Angel Abbey

Universally considered Bach’s crowning achievement, the profound and astounding Mass is the summation of a lifetime of work. It took decades to complete and remains a testament to Bach’s faith and artistic virtuosity.

OBF Ripieno Ensemble
OBF Baroque Orchestra
Rowan Pierce, soprano I
Clara Osowski, soprano II
Ulrike Malotta, alto
Thomas Hobbs, tenor
Peter Harvey, bass
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor

This concert will also be performed at Mount Angel Abbey on July 5 and Kaul Auditorium in Portland on Sunday, July 6. Tickets for Mount Angel are available through Hult Center and tickets for Kaul Auditorium are available through that venue.

Artists, dates, times, repertoire, and venues are subject to change.

On April 2, 1800, Beethoven self-produced a benefit “Akademie” concert in Vienna showcasing his talent as both composer and pianist. The program featured his Symphony No. 1 and marked his entry into Vienna’s elite music scene. The evening included works from Beethoven’s predecessors, Mozart, Haydn, and Bach. OBF artistic partner, Jos van Veldhoven, conducts the OBF classical Orchestra and Bewick Academy, side-by-side, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the OBF Berwick Academy for Historically Informed Performance.

W.A. Mozart    Adagio – Allegro from Symphony No. 39 
J.S. Bach    Prelude and Fugue in F Minor, BWV 534 
Beethoven    Prelude in F Minor 
Haydn        “Auf starkem Fittiche schwinget sich der Adler stolz” from The Creation
Beethoven    Adagio – Allegro con brio from Septet 
Haydn        “Holde Gatten, dir zur Seite” from The Creation 
Beethoven    Romance No. 2 
Beethoven    Symphony No. 1
 
Berwick Academy Orchestra 
OBF Classical Orchestra 
Rowan Pierce, soprano 
Peter Harvey, bass 
Augusta McKay Lodge, violin 
Jonathan Oddie, fortepiano 
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor

Here is Beethoven at his most optimistic and exultant, writing a piece that would come to redefine the expressive power of the concerto. And here is a superstar of the violin to perform it for us: the incomparable Hilary Hahn returns to Seattle to play Beethoven as only she can. Music Director Designate Xian Zhang returns to Seattle for this powerhouse program, which also includes Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony. Composed in 1944, it looked to a horizon beyond the devastation of war. Its first performance in Moscow was punctuated by a victory salute of cannon fire, signaling the final campaign to end the war. Prokofiev marked the end in sight with a scurrying dash to the final victory.

Thomas Abrahamson will premiere new compositions for solo piano including a new piece for violin and piano ensemble (Libby Phelps on violin), all in the style of contemporary classical…ish. Also included in the program are OLD works composed in 2023. The night will include caffeine, refreshments, chocolate, caramel, and of course, notes, music, and crescendos that will make you feel. Coughing during the quiet part is welcome, and in fact encouraged.