FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Bach Soloists presents the
9th annual American Bach Soloists Festival & Academy
at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
with additional performances at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

May 17, 2018 – San Francisco, CA. For the 2018 American Bach Soloists Festival & Academy—San Francisco’s Summer Bach Festival—Artistic Director Jeffrey Thomas has chosen the music of Germany with a particular emphasis on The Glorious Court of Dresden , known for the extraordinary quality of music that was composed for the Electors and Kings of Saxony who upheld the highest artistic and cultural standards for their subjects. A full array of free events—including public master classes, lectures, concerts, and colloquia—complement the performances by American Bach Soloists, American Bach Soloists Festival Orchestra, and the American Bach Soloists Academy.
Conductor Jeffrey Thomas is excited about the Festival: "The Dresden Court Orchestra, the Hofkapelle , was probably the finest orchestra to be found in Europe during the Augustan Age. It attracted many of the best composers, including those who were lucky enough to serve Augustus II ("the Strong") during those golden years. And other composers, not residents of Dresden, took pride in composing for the fantastic musicians who were known for their artistry and virtuosity by sending their works to the Court, among them Bach and Vivaldi. Our ABS roster is perfectly suited to this music which provides ample opportunity for them to to shine both as soloists and as ensemble musicians. I'm greatly looking forward to these sensational programs."
Programs


The Glorious Court of Dresden 
 
Johann Joachim Quantz: Concerto for Flute in E Minor
Johann Friedrich Fasch: Overture in G Major
Johann Georg Pisendel: Concerto in D Major 
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Sinfonia à 8 in A Minor
Johann David Heinichen: Overture in G Major 

Sandra Miller, flute
Robert Mealy, violin 
American Bach Soloists
Jeffrey Thomas conductor 

Dresden’s renowned Hofkapelle court orchestra was the finest in Germany during the Baroque era and brought prestige to the city, establishing its rank as one of the most important musical centers throughout Europe. A wealth of composers wrote their finest compositions for the ensemble. This program shows just how adept the musicians of the Hofkapelle were.

Friday August 3 2018 8:00 p.m. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco

•

To Dresden With Love

Antonio Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major “fatto per Maestro Pisendel”
Johann Sebastian Bach: Preise dein glücke gesegnetes Sachsen (Cantata 215)
Francesco Maria Veracini: Overture No. 5 in B-flat Major

Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin
Clara Rottsolk, soprano
Judith Malafronte, contralto
Matthew Hill, tenor
William Sharp, baritone
American Bach Choir
American Bach Soloists
Jeffrey Thomas, conductor

A stunning setting of  Dixit Dominus by Vivaldi, recently discovered in Dresden, features some of the composer’s most pictorial musical imagery and what has become known as Vivaldi’s most brilliantly executed double fugue for chorus. Bach’s congratulatory cantata, “Praise your good fortune, blessed Saxony,” for the anniversary of the election of August III, Elector of Saxony, as King of Poland, was first performed in October 1734 in the presence of the Elector. A grand and flattering testimonial to the high esteem in which he was held by Bach, the American Bach Choir and a full Baroque orchestra with trumpets and drums join in singing the praises of Dresden’s celebrated Elector.

Saturday August 4 2018 8:00 p.m. St Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco

•

Bach’s Mass in B Minor

American Bach Choir
ABS Academy Festival Orchestra
Jeffrey Thomas, conductor

An annual pilgrimage for many concert-goers, ABS’s performances of the work that represents the pinnacle of Baroque music are legendary, especially in the passionate and dedicated hands of ABS Academy faculty and participants.

Sunday August 5 2018 7:00 p.m. • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco
Sunday August 12 2018 2:00 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

•

Handel’s Semele

Academy Singers
ABS Academy Festival Orchestra
Jeffrey Thomas, conductor

Large-scale opera and oratorio is a major component of every ABS Summer Festival. Based on an English opera libretto yet designated “after the manner of an Oratorio,” Handel’s  Semele  melds the two forms into one superb work.

Thursday August 9 2018 7:30 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Friday August 10 2018 7:30 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

•

Baroque Masters

Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata in G Major for Flute, Viola da gamba and Bc
Johann Sebastian Bach: Der Friede sei mit dir, Cantata 158
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Trio Sonata in B-flat major for Oboe, Violin, and Bc
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Sonata X à cinque
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Sonata Cu-Cu à Violino Solo
Georg Philipp Telemann: Trio Sonata in E-flat Major for Oboe, Harpsichord concertato, and Bc
Johann Joachim Quantz: Sonata in G Major for Flute and Bc
Johann Pachelbel: Partie à 5 in G Major

American Bach Soloists
featuring Max van Egmond, baritone

A showcase for the virtuosi of ABS, this program presents dazzling works by Bach, Biber, Pachelbel, Quantz, Schmelzer, Telemann, and Zelenka. Legendary bass-baritone Max van Egmond, who has served on the ABS Academy faculty since its inception, makes his ABS Festival farewell performance.

Saturday August 11 2018 8:00 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

•

Free Events

The ABS Academy opens its doors to the public to witness the artistic transformations that make Master Classes so tremendously exciting, as performers and their master teachers share their knowledge and insights. Join the members of the American Bach Soloists Academy for a series of enlightening and informative public lectures presented by the Academy faculty on a wide range of subjects centered on Festival themes.Engaging colloquia, for performers and audience members alike, annually explore a variety of topics centered on Festival concert repertoire and historical, artistic, and practical considerations of performing Baroque music today.

•

Calendar

Friday August 3 2018
8:00 p.m. The Glorious Court of Dresden, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, $35-$89

Saturday August 4 2018
2:00 p.m. Colloquium: The Glorious Court of Dresden & A Performer’s History of the Early Music Movement, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
8:00 p.m.To Dresden With Love, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, $35-$89

Sunday August 5 2018
7:00 p.m. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, $35-$89

Monday August 6 2018
3:00 p.m. Baroque Marathon Part I, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
8:00 p.m. Baroque Marathon Part II, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free

Tuesday August 7 2018
3:00 p.m. Master Class: Harpsichord & Organ, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Robert Mealy, A Band of Virtuosi: The Dresden Court Orchestra of Augustus the Strong, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free

Wednesday August 8 2018
3:00 p.m. Master Class: Violins & Violas, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Steven Lehning, Am I in Tune? Tuning and Temperaments, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free

Thursday August 9 2018
3:00 p.m. Master Class: ‘Cellos & Basses, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Corey Jamason, Hasse, Bordoni, and the World of Dresden Opera, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
7:30 p.m. Handel’s  Semele , San Francisco Conservatory of Music, $35-$105

Friday August 10 2018
3:00 p.m. Master Class: Winds & Brass, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Kenneth Slowik, Handel’s  Semele : Terror, Astonishment, and the Joy of this Earth, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
7:30 p.m. Handel’s  Semele , San Francisco Conservatory of Music, $35-$105

Saturday August 11 2018
3:00 p.m. Master Class: Voices, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Jeffrey Thomas, Bach’s Cantata’s & the Lutheran Chorale: A Miraculous Alliance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Free
8:00 p.m. Baroque Masters, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, $35-$105

Sunday August 12 2018
2:00 p.m. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, $35-$105


Tickets
$35 - $105
Order online at americanbach.org/tickets or call 800-595-4TIX (-4849)


ABOUT JEFFREY THOMAS
​
Renowned for his experience, knowledge and sensitivity for the music of the Baroque, Jeffrey Thomas’s preparation of the major works of the repertory such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor,  St. Matthew Passion , and Handel’s  Messiah  have led to inspired, definitive performances that have become synonymous with the ensemble he has led with such distinction.  San Francisco Classical Voice  said, “Jeffrey Thomas is still pushing the musical Baroque envelope.” [ MORE ]
ABOUT AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS
​
American Bach Soloists are leading performers in the field of Baroque music, dedicated to historically informed performances of Bach and his contemporaries. ABS provides meaningful, memorable, and valuable musical experiences for our audiences through inspiring performances and recordings, and it supports the preservation of early music through educational programs for students and emerging professionals. [ MORE ]
Additional Press Resources:
Jonathon Hampton
Communications Manager
415-621-7900 ext. 207
American Bach Soloists
44 Page Street, Suite 403
San Francisco, CA, 94102
415-621-7900
We Thank our Sponsors

The American Bach Soloists are grateful for the support of these and other Foundations, Corporations, Government Agencies, and Individual Sponsors