The Bach Sinfonia

The Bach Sinfonia is a Maryland-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to excellence in performance and public education regarding eighteenth-century music. Currently in its eleventh season, Sinfonia presents a series of unique educational concerts, open dress rehearsals, and listening lectures regarding music from the eighteenth century. Sinfonia strives to create programs that differ from the standard classical music concert by providing performances that are not just listening entertainments but also learning experiences.

Each historically-informed performance is programmed on a theme chosen by artistic director and musicologist Daniel Abraham to inform the listener about the genres, sociology, and performance practices of the eighteenth century. Played by early music specialists, the programs are interspersed with musical and historical discussions aimed to help further audience appreciation and understanding of the music. The Washington Post and various area news organizations have recognized Sinfonia’s continuing excellence in performance and education.

As part of our mission, Sinfonia also conducts research into music and performance techniques of the eighteenth-century. Throughout our past seasons, we have presented a number of significant modern-premieres and programs including: the first hearing in North America of Handel’s Gloria (rediscovered in 2002), the modern premiere of Marie Emannuel Bayon-Louis’ comic opera Fleur d’Épine, and the first complete performance in North America of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Alles mit Gott und nichts mit ohn’ ihn, BWV 1127 (rediscovered June 2005) in concert at the 2005 National Meeting of the American Musicological Society (AMS). The major work heard on the AMS program, Handel’s Alexander Feast, along with a recording of BWV 1127, will receive international commercial release on Dorian Records in the fall of 2006.

Sinfonia is increasing its outreach efforts by presenting educational listening lectures to local community, school, and senior citizen groups. Provided at no charge to the participants, these listening lectures consist of a presentation about music and composers from the eighteenth century. Presented by music and artistic director Daniel Abraham, the lectures are accompanied by musical examples to illustrate the music discussed. The lectures give community residents an opportunity not normally found in the concert setting, to ask questions and engage in dialogue with the presenter, furthering their knowledge of eighteenth-century music, social history, and performance practice.

Sinfonia also opens its doors and invites students from throughout the region to open rehearsals that allow students studying instrumental and vocal music to witness how professional musicians rehearse and provides the students an opportunity to speak to the performers after the rehearsal. Open rehearsal invitations are provided to students of Washington Conservatory of Music, the Levine School of Music, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, the Montgomery County Public School instrumental programs, and all other interested area middle and high school students. In addition, The Bach Sinfonia hopes to initiate a National young artist early music performance competition during the 2006-2007 season.