Called “a jewel of the winter arts season,” this series offers Bach’s English Suites on harpsichord in the intimate Lindsey Chapel. Why the designation “English”? We don’t really know beyond some – less than fascinating – academic conjecture. Certainly Bach himself didn’t call them that. In grandeur and scope, the Suites eclipse the more intimate “French” Suites heard on the Lindsey Chapel Series a few years ago. Beyond the standard suite movements (Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Glgue) and the Prelude, the choice of additional dance movements is quite varied. The English historian, Charles Sanford Terry, wrote of the English Suites: “Their pervading tone is of happy humor and exuberant good nature”. That point might be debatable, but we can agree that engagement with this superb repertoire presents a welcome respite from the challenges of Contemporary Life. – Michael Beattie, curator

string ensemble

HelloCello! – ensemble of cellists – play their annual Bach day, participating many seasons by now. This year they focus on Chorales of J.S. Bach, arranged for 4 cellos by David Johnstone (scores available in web ‘Johnstone-Music’. They are joined by distinguished performers from the Liceo Orchestra (Barcelona) and the Spanish National Orchestra …