Bach and the Old Masters

On Sunday, March 29th, the Calgary Bach Choir presents the groundbreaking Calgary premiere performance of Palestrina’s timeless music in a setting for brass and choir by Johann Sebastian Bach with special guest Altius Brass. Palestrina’s “Missa sine nomine a 6” for six voices meets Bach in a performance infused with the spirit of the Baroque.    Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 – 1594) left hundreds of compositions, including 104 masses, 68 offertories, 250 motets, 45 hymns, 33 magnificats, at least 140 madrigals and more. His “Missa sine nomine a 6” seems to have been particularly attractive to J. S. Bach, who studied and performed it while he was writing his own masterpiece, the Mass in B Minor. In addition, Calgary Bach Choir and Altius Brass will present works by Gabrieli, Praetorius and Bach. Based in Calgary, the 18-member Altius Brass represents a unique collaboration of professional performers on brass and percussion instruments.   Bach and the Old Masters will take place at 3:30 PM on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Knox United Church (506 – 4 Street SW, Calgary). Tickets are $20 (adults/seniors) and are available online through http://www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Students (with valid student ID) and children enjoy free admission.