Save the '07 dates, PDQ

Helmuth Rilling will return for his 38th year as artistic director.

Who's coming to the Oregon Bach Festival in 2007?

Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, and PDQ: the last (and least) of Bach's musical progeny. Save the dates -- we hope you will come too!

Oregon Bach Festival
June 29-July 15

Brahms GERMAN REQUIEM
Opening night, June 29, showcases this great masterwork, at times tender and consoling, at times thunderous and magnificent.

Honegger KING DAVID
July 12
Artur Honegger, French/Swiss composer of the early 20th century, wrote this symphonic psalm in three parts based on the life of King David, the greatest of the kings of Israel. Expect a bravura performance from the Chorus in a dramatic and theatrical staging co-produced by Willamette Repertory Theatre.

Haydn THERESIENMESSE
In Discovery Series lecture-concerts July 5 & 6 and full performance July 8
While the identity of the "Theresa" in its name is uncertain, its musicality is clear. Haydn blended choir, orchestra soloists, and text in a great masterwork, the next in our Haydn CD recording project.

Beethoven: MISSA SOLEMNIS
July 15
Beethoven stated that his chief aim was "to awaken and permanently instill religious feelings not only into the singers but also into the listeners." One thing is certain: the sweep, power, and immensity of this masterwork has created many converts to the greatness of Beethoven.

Guest artists include:
Anton Armstrong and the YCA (July 6)
Jeffrey Kahane (conducting the orchestra and chorus July 3, and in solo piano recital July 5)
PDQ Bach (June 30)
The 5 Browns, Juilliard grads and piano-playing siblings (July 13)