Giving Bach

Photo by Michael GW Stein.

Giving Bach is a clever pun, but before you roll your eyes, close them and listen.  Any excuse for a program focusing on  J. S. Bach is a good one, and in this case the pun goes to the very heart of the motivation for this concert series and of the existence of the Burlington Ensemble itself, for that matter.  The musicians play to raise money for the six partnering non-profits.  Mobius is one of them.  Ninety percent of the proceeds from the concerts go to these community organizations, allowing music lovers to hear fine performances of great music, and support Mobius and the other five organizations:  Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation, Kids’ Safe Colaborative, Puppets in Education, the Stern Center for Learning and Language, and Committee on Temporary Shelter.

“Giving Bach,” on November 5,  will highlight the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation.  The program includes my favorite Bach violin concerto –  a minor, BWV 1041 (3rd movement is linked above),  his Orchestral Suite No. 2,  and the Oboe Concerto BMV 1059.  Also on the program are four fugues from Opus 87  of Dimitri Shostakovich, who was inspired by a performance of Bach’s Preludes and Fugues from the Well Tempered Clavier.  While composed for piano, we’ll hear an arrangement for string quartet.

As if that isn’t enough, Leunig’s  Bistro is partnering to offer concert goers vouchers for 20% off food at Leunigs.  The vouchers are good through November 12.   There are few better ways to spend a Saturday evening than listening to a live performance of Bach and Shostakovich, enjoying a delicious post-concert meal at Leunig’s, and supporting mentoring and other important community organizations.  And yes, that is my opinion, for which I make no apologies.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.  Go to the be facebook page and  rsvp.