Originally published in The Moscow Times on January 14, 2000
2000 is not just about bugs, it's also about Bach. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the death of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest musicians of all time.
The "most stupendous miracle in all music," as his compatriot Richard Wagner called him, was renowned for his abundant church music, which included claviers works, chorales, the St Matthew and St John Passions, the Christmas Oratorio, large-scale Mass pieces and over 250 sacred cantatas.
He was also a virtuoso violinist, court organist and concert master.
Commemorative concerts and festivals are springing up in European cities, so why not also have a listen to some of Bach's Baroque music here in Moscow? There is plenty of it.
The Conservatory Small Hall will devote two evenings to the composer. Alexander Rudin will perform the first part of Bach's six suites for solo cello Friday and the second part Tuesday. He will be accompanied by the Moscow Conservatory' s early music ensemble. Renowned pianist Tigran Alikhanov will include some Bach works in his concert at the Conservatory Rakhmaninov Hall on Friday. And Bach performer Gary Grodberg will provide an evening of his organ music at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall this Saturday.
Read the full text at The Moscow Times.