The Musical Offering – One of the most remarkable stories in Bach’s life occurred in 1747, when, despite his declining health, he traveled to visit Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. The King, knowing of Bach’s legendary skills at improvisation, presented to Bach an infamous fugue theme and asked him to compose a three-part setting of the theme on the spot. Not only did Bach excel in that moment, he then took the theme home and created a monumental offering to Frederick, setting the theme in creative canons and various musical puzzles, culminating in a massive six-part fugue.
This tremendous display of compositional skill forms the backbone of our Ifor Jones concert. Joined by the period wind and brass musicians of SYNNET and the Bach Festival Orchestra, we explore this incredible masterwork and intersperse it with other instrumental gems of the Baroque era. Come witness Bach in one of his finest displays of genius.
