Bach Society opens season with Bach and Schubert

How to Go

What: “From Leipzig to Vienna: Bach Meets Schubert”

Where: Kettering Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, Kettering

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

Cost: $18 for adults; $10 for students; Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Tickets: Call (937) 294-2224, visit http://www.bachsocietyofdayton.org/ or purchase at the door. Also, Culture Works Passport holders can get two tickets for the price of one.

More info: Visit http://www.bachsocietyofdayton.org/

FYI: A concert preview featuring Dr. Sharon Gratto, professor and chair of the University of Dayton’s Department of Music, begins at 3 p.m.

Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.

The Bach Society of Dayton ushers in its 2014-15 season, dubbed “Music: The Universal Language,” Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Kettering Adventist Church with a concert saluting Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Schubert entitled “From Leipzig to Vienna: Bach Meets Schubert.”

Under the direction of music director John Neely, the program includes Bach’s “Lutheran” Mass in A for soloists, orchestra and chorus, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G (featuring violinist Aurelian Oprea), Bach’s Cantata 150 for soloists, orchestra and chorus, and Schubert’s Mass in C for soloists, orchestra and chorus.

“We want to show a nice study in contrast between the composers,” Neely said. “Bach’s Mass in A in particular is very challenging and written in an instrumental style. Schubert’s Mass in C is a light, floating piece. Schubert is very Viennese, much like Mozart or Haydn, which is very different from the instrumental feel of Bach.”

Additionally, for the second half of the concert, the Bach Society will be joined by the University of Dayton Chorale, conducted by Dr. Robert Jones. Jones will direct the Chorale in two movements from Bach’s Magnificat in D. He will also lead both choruses in the aforementioned Cantata 150 and Mass in C.

“We’re really excited to collaborate with the University of Dayton Chorale,” Neely said. “The fall was the best time for the Chorale to participate and we’re happy to have them with us. We always welcome collaborations with different organizations.”

The vocal soloists to be featured next Sunday are soprano Ginger Minneman, mezzo soprano Ryu-Kyung Kim, tenor Pedro Arroyo, and baritone Errik Hood.

“We really hope this season will be even more exciting than last season,” Neely added. “Concert attendance last season was great and exceeded any other season. We really want to continue building our audience and building variety. We want to keep the bar high.”