Bach's Circle-Bend

The OBF's Central Oregon prelude features the engaging Bach's Circle ensemble and selections from Bach's great Musical Offering and The Art of Fugue, plus works by Vivaldi and Handel. OBF stalwarts Elizabeth Baker, violin, Allan Vogel, oboe, and Janice Tipton, flute, lead the Los Angeles-based baroque specialists.
Bach's Circle baroque ensemble

KLCC Live Broadcast: Bach's Circle

Live broadcast performance and interviews with the Baroque ensemble on Eugene's NPR affiliate, KLCC-FM 89.7. Listen live via streaming audio on klcc.org
Bach's Circle; radio host Michael Canning

World Harmony Project Festival Exhibitions

Live music by the On Ensemble is featured as the World Harmony Project begins with free, public receptions for three exhibits at UO museums: "On the Road: Two Visions of the Tokaido Highway" at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, and "World Harmony - Musical Instruments from Around the Globe" and the photographic "Shall We Dance" at the Museum of Natural & Cultural History.
On Ensemble

Bach Remix

The latest spin on the J.S. groove features the area's best hip hop musicians and DJs, creating new mixes based on Bach beats. A free, festival fringe event that takes place at The District, 13th and Oak in Eugene. Ages 21 and over. See www.thedistricteugene.com
Area hip-hop performers and DJs

Inside Line: The Creation

Pre-concert introduction to Haydn's masterwork.
Linda Hathaway Bunza

Opening Ceremonies

Join us for a young-hearted fanfare with the 350 singers of the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival conducted by Sandra Snow.
PICCFEST Choirs

The Creation-Eugene

Majestic, joyful, and glorious as creation itself, this concert will warm your heart and spirit. Grammy-winning conductor Helmuth Rilling, invited to conduct this work at Carnegie Hall for this year's Haydn anniversary, leads stellar soloists, chorus, and orchestra in the vivid, day-by-day depiction of the emergence of the earth and heavens, flora and fauna, and the paradise of Eden.
The Annual OBF Founder's Concert Robin Johannsen, soprano; James Taylor, tenor; Christòpheren Nomura, bass-baritone; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Taiko Together

Get tuned in to taiko and discover the ancient origins of the instruments and their modern musical uses with the On (say “Ohn”) Ensemble. Masato, Kristofer, Shoji, and Kelvin, based in LA but who play all the over the world, take you on a far-reaching exploration of percussion, electronics, and Japanese culture. It's an interactive session with a big beat for all the family.
On Ensemble

On the House: PICCFEST Guest Choirs

Youth choirs are in the spotlight, with conductors Steve Stevens (Columbia) and Sean Burton (Nebraska).
Columbia Children's Choir of Metropolitan Seattle; Nebraska Children's Chorus—Bel Canto

The Creation-Portland

Portland performance of our season-opening work, music as majestic, joyful, and glorious as creation itself. Grammy-winning conductor Helmuth Rilling, invited to conduct this music at Carnegie Hall for Haydn anniversary celebrations, leads stellar soloists, chorus and orchestra in the vivid, day-by-day depiction of the emergence of the earth and heavens, flora and fauna, and the paradise of Eden.
Robin Johannsen, soprano; James Taylor, tenor; Christòpheren Nomura, bass-baritone; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

On Ensemble

Catch the beat of a world fusion mix as members of the On Ensemble - as fluent in the worlds of hip-hop, rock, and jazz as they are in ancient percussion - take you and the art of Japanese taiko drumming into new realms. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlAsqTM-IjE
On Ensemble

Kahane, Kahn, and Brahms

Share a family's tradition for fine music-making as string players Gernot Süssmuth, Rahel and Sara Rilling, and David Adorjan (Rahel's husband) join artist-in residence Jeffrey Kahane for works by composers Johannes Brahms and Robert Kahn (grandfather of Martina Rilling, musician and wife of the OBF artistic director).
Jeffrey Kahane, piano; OBF Chamber Players

PICCFEST Gala

"Rediscovering the Americas" is the theme for the 13th annual celebration involving talented young singers from across the US.
Eight guest choirs of the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival; Sandra Snow, guest conductor

On the House: Eugene Taiko/Waka Daiko

Come along for the powerful beats and spellbinding rhythms of Eugene's own Taiko band and their associated youth group for an energetic and enthusiastic percussion concert.
Eugene Taiko adult group; Waka Daiko youth group

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 1

Gain insights into the music's meaning and the hidden mastery of the composer's craft in this informal yet informative series at the heart of the Festival. Artistic Director Helmuth Rilling explains key elements of each day's music, illustrated with examples. His students of the master class then conduct the OBF forces in performance. This year covers the six cantatas of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, joyous music of celebration for the major Christian holiday.
Yale Voxtet soloists; SFYCA; OBF Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Brandenburg Concertos-Portland

Hear all six of Bach's great concertos the way the composer might have heard them. Portland Baroque Orchestra, one of the country's most accomplished period-instrument ensembles, instills these virtuosic works with sparkle and vitality. OBF soloists Guy Few (Baroque trumpet) and Boris Kleiner (harpsichord) lend their talents as guest artists.
Portland Baroque Orchestra; Monica Huggett, artistic director

Bach's Circle-Eugene

The Bach's Circle baroque ensemble vividly recreates the glories of music from the time of Bach and his contemporaries. OBF virtuosos Elizabeth Baker, violin, Allan Vogel, oboe, and Janice Tipton, flute, lead the Los Angeles group.
Bach's Circle baroque ensemble

Organ Interlude: ElRay Stewart-Cook

Noontime revelry with the majestic sounds of the Brombaugh organ and music by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Messiaen.
ElRay Stewart Cook

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshops

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Inside Line: Bach's Brandenburg Concertos

Pre-concert tour of the evening's music.
Robert Hurwitz

Brandenburg Concertos-Eugene

Hear all six of Bach's great concertos the way the composer might have heard them. PBO, one of the country's most accomplished period-instrument ensembles, instills these virtuosic works with sparkle and vitality. OBF soloists Guy Few (Baroque trumpet) and Boris Kleiner (harpsichord) lend their talents.
Portland Baroque Orchestra; Monica Huggett, artistic director

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshops

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Let's Talk: Frederica von Stade

Informal Q & A with "Flicka," whose 2009 engagements number a Marilyn Horne celebration at Carnegie Hall and a Kennedy Center appearance with Sam Ramey.

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshops

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 2

Cantata 2 of Bach's series that celebrates the major Christian holiday.
Yale Voxtet; SFYCA; OBF Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshops

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

InChoir: Sing-Along Messiah

If you enjoy the hearty strains of Handel's Hallelujah chorus, you'll find much more to relish in Messiah, and this is the place to sing it. All comers are welcome to rejoice and learn from the OBF Chorus, as you sing alongside the pros in a rehearsal of Handel's great work.
OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Kathy Saltzman Romey, conductor

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshops

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Let's Talk: Monica Huggett

Q & A with the violinist, conductor, and first director of the Juilliard school's new historical performance program

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshop

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

An Evening with Frederica von Stade

The beauty of song reigns as the beloved Met Opera diva returns to the OBF on the eve of her farewell tour, performing her favorite opera arias from Carmen, Othello, and Le Périchole, and Broadway hits from The King and I, Wonderful Town, and a Little Night Music. The orchestra celebrates our Festival themes of Shakespeare and dance with Berlioz' take on Beatrice and Benedict and Romeo and Juliet, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Ballet Suite. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6KYdUG5TSQ
Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; OBF Orchestra; Jeffrey Kahane, conductor

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshop

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

On the House: SFYCA Soloists

Hear remarkable new talent as leading singers from the SFYCA step into the solo spotlight.
SFYCA soloists; Anton Armstrong conductor

Composers Symposium: Virgin Ears Workshop

"24 Hours of New Music Readings," an eight-event series that features premieres of works by participants in the Composers Symposium, performed by the composers and resident ensembles. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 3

Learn more about Bach's holiday oratorio as the lecture-demonstration series continues.
Yale Voxtet; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Purcell and Shakespeare

Alight upon Elizabethan shores through music written to accompany Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, Othello, and The Tempest, as well as excerpts from Henry Purcell's The Fairy Queen--an adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Robin Johannsen, soprano; James Taylor, tenor; Portland Baroque Orchestra; Monica Huggett, artistic director

Composers Symposium ACE Concert 1

Inaugural concerts of the American Creators Ensemble, the first national composers/performers ensemble. The three-concert ACE series features guest artists Fireworks New Music Ensemble and Beta Collide in premieres by participants of the Composers Symposium. Find out more at www.iwagemusic.com.
American Creators Ensemble (ACE), Beta Collide

Composers Symposium ACE Concert 2

Inaugural concerts of the American Creators Ensemble, the first national composers/performers ensemble, with guest artists Fireworks New Music Ensemble and Beta Collide, in premieres by participants of the Composers Symposium. Find out more at www.iwagemusic.com
American Creators Ensemble (ACE), Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Red, White, and Rhapsody in Blue

Team up with OBF, Eugene's Active 20-30 Club, and the annual Art & the Vineyard fete for world, jazz, and gospel choral music from our high school choral academy and the original jazz band version of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue--capped by Freedom Festival fireworks! Concert included with $6 one day admission or $15 three-day pass to the summer fun of Art and the Vineyard. www.artandthevineyard.org
SFYCA, Anton Armstrong, conductor; OBF Orchestra, Jeffrey Kahane, pianist/conductor

Inside Line: Shakespeare and Music

Pre-concert preview of Mendelssohn and other treatments of Shakespeare in music.
Carolyn Bergquist

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Mendelssohn's beloved music for Shakespeare's fantasy sparks an event of magical movement and beauty. In an abridged theatrical staging, the Eugene Ballet dances Toni Pimble's original choreography with narration by company members of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, to the accompaniment of live choir and orchestra. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyCUyXTY3Do
SFYCA women's chorus; Sarah Rutan and Robert Vincent Frank of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, narrators; Eugene Ballet; OBF Orchestra; Robin Engelen, conductor

Midsummer Soiree

A Celebration of our Patrons and Musicians, open to patrons who donate annually at the $500 level or more. This year's new format includes hors d'oeuvres, desserts, wine, soft drinks, and no-host bar, with opportunities to meet and mingle with old and new friends. The program includes a performance by The SFYCA directed by Anton Armstrong, presentation of The Saltzman Award, and keynote speaker Dr Richard W. Lariviere, the new President of the University of Oregon.
In addition to a modest charge of $25 per head, patrons will be asked to buy a second $25 ticket for the event to host one of our Festival musicians.

Composers Symposium ACE Concert 3

Third concert featuring the American Creators Ensemble with guest artists Fireworks New Music Ensemble and Beta Collide, in premieres by participants of the Composers Symposium. Find out more at www.iwagemusic.com
American Creators Ensemble (ACE), Beta Collide, Fireworks New Music Ensemble

Hinkle Distinguished Lecture

The esteemed Swedish composer in residence for the World Premiere of his Messiah offers his perspectives on spirituality and sacred music.
Sven-David Sandström

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 4

Rilling and his forces explore the fourth choral work in Bach's Christmas series.
Yale Voxtet; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

At Home with the Mendelssohns

The OBF reprises the approach to last year's sell-out Schubertiade with the re-creation of a musical soiree in the Mendelssohn's storied Berlin home.
Robin Johannsen, soprano; Roxana Constantinescu, alto; James Taylor, tenor; Bernd Valentin, bass-baritone; Jeffrey Kahane, piano; OBF Chamber Players

Let's Talk: Messiah Project

The annual Hinkle Seminar is presented within the Let's Talk series, as Helmuth Rilling, John Evans, and Sven-David Sandström discuss the new Messiah and its relation to Handel.

Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy

Amazing and inspiring, the 85 young singers of SFYCA soar with heartfelt emotion in the climax to their intensive OBF experience. Under Anton Armstrong's assured guidance, their highlights include George Shearing's settings of Shakespeare sonnets and and Vaughan Williams' exquisite Serenade to Music. Helmuth Rilling conducts Mendelssohn's Psalm 42.
SFYCA; Robin Johannsen, soprano; OBF Orchestra;Anton Armstrong and Helmuth Rilling, conductors

Composers Symposium: Wild Nights Cafés

The hip, late-night series returns with group improvs in every style you can imagine and premieres of new works for solo piano. Performers are the nation-wide participants in the Composers Symposium and Beta Collide, led by Brian McWhorter. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide

Organ Interlude: Julia Brown

In tune with our 200th anniversary celebration, Julia Brown offers an all-Mendelssohn program.
Julia Brown

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 5

The lecture-demonstration series continues with the fifth Christmas cantata.
Yale Voxtet; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Jeffrey Kahane in recital

Solo recital demonstrates Jeffrey Kahane's versatility and mastery with a range of music styles and tonal colors.
Jeffrey Kahane, piano

Composers Symposium: Wild Nights Cafés

The hip, late-night series returns with group improvs in every style you can imagine and premieres of new works for solo piano. Performers are the nation-wide participants in the Composers Symposium and Beta Collide, led by Brian McWhorter. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide

Savion on Tap

Youth-oriented demonstration and performance by the Tony Award-winning tap dancer.
Savion Glover

On the House: Tap Jam

Bring your tap shoes and hoof along to live music - or simply watch and listen - following Savion Glover's lecture-demo. Takes place downstairs in the Hult with dancing in The Studio.

Inside Line: Sandström Messiah

The composer gives a guided tour to his new work.
Sven-David Sandström

Sandström Messiah

In homage to Handel, Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström's new setting of Messiah breathes with the spirit of life itself. Prolific, having written more than 200 works in almost every art-music genre, Sandström has received commissions from the Royal Concertgebouw, BBC, Pierre Boulez, and now, for his Messiah, the OBF and Helmuth Rilling's Internationale Bachakademie. Join with us to enjoy the heralded world premiere.
Robin Johannsen, soprano; Roxana Constantinescu, alto; Timothy Fallon, tenor; Bernd Valentin, bass-baritone; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

OBF 40th Anniversary Preview

The OBF Executive Director hosts a reception for composer Sven-David Sandström that includes an exclusive preview of the OBF 40th anniversary in 2010 from Helmuth Rilling.
Helmuth Rilling, John Evans

Composers Symposium: Wild Nights Cafés

The hip, late-night series returns with group improvs in every style you can imagine and premieres of new works for solo piano. Performers are the nation-wide participants in the Composers Symposium and Beta Collide, led by Brian McWhorter. Tickets sold at the door.
American Creators Ensemble, Beta Collide

Let's Talk: Savion Glover

The tap dancer discusses his career from his debut at age 10 with Gregory Hines to recent work including the animated film Happy Feet.

Discovery Series: Christmas Oratorio Part 6

The lecture-demonstration series concludes with the sixth cantata in Bach's oratorio.
Yale Voxtet; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Classical Savion

Savion Glover paved a road to dance stardom with his work from Sesame Street to Broadway. Here, the Tony Award-winner and his orchestra create an eye-and-ear-opening new experience of classic themes from Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. Glover's "stamina is unflagging, his energy unquenchable and his virtuosity unbeatable." (The New York Times). Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ1eFPfydIw
Savion Glover and his classical and jazz musicians

King Estate Gala

Fine wine, breathtaking views, a gourmet meal, and exquisite vocal music are yours for a fabulous summer night fundraising gala and auction. Live entertainment provided by the Yale University vocal group Voxtet, directed by OBF soloist James Taylor. Get more details and browse through auction items: www.oregonbachfestival.com/auction/
Yale Voxtet; James Taylor, director and MC

Organ Recital: Bach's Music "As You Like It"

The virtuoso American organist echoes our 2009 Shakespeare theme with "The Five Ages of Sebastian: Bach's Music 'As You Like It'" delivered on Central Lutheran's majestic Brombaugh organ.
Janette Fishell

Handel Messiah

Grand and glorious, revered for its blend of majestic choruses and unyielding dramatic power, Handel's masterwork transcends any one belief to speak to the spirit within us all. The OBF's grand finale is a must-hear event that honors equally the 250th anniversary of G.F. Handel's death and the pathways of our human experience.
Robin Johannsen, soprano; Daniel Taylor, countertenor; James Taylor, tenor; Bernd Valentin, bass-baritone; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor