Just because we live in Southern California doesn’t mean we are used to commuting. Whether you drive, bike, ride the bus, train, or even walk; we all know getting where we need to go can be an exhausting and time consuming experience. For some lucky train passengers, March 18th and 19th won’t be your average weekend thanks to Glendale’s Cantabile Chamber Players, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 18th and 19th, The Pasadena Conservatory of Music and Cantabile Chamber Players will perform compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach from 12-1 pm on Saturday and 10 am until 12 pm on Sunday at the Larry Zarian Transportation Center at 400 W. Cerritos Avenue here in Glendale. This seemingly random display of classical music is actually part of a larger movement called “Bach in the Subways”. What began as a single cellist in New York’s subway has spread into an international movement that fills bus depots, train stations, malls, airports, churches, or any public place with the brilliance of Bach’s music. Glendale’s Cantabile Chamber Players and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music will play Bach’s famous Brandenburg Concertos and more for their own “Bach in the Subways” performances this weekend.
The Cantabile Chamber Players is a group of intermediate level musicians playing violin, viola, and cello. The ensemble meets to rehearse every Tuesday in Glendale. The group is under the tutelage of Glendale-based violin teacher Barbara Don. Before teaching, she was with the Pasadena Symphony for 37 years and completed summer fellowships at the Tanglewood, Blossom, and Aspen festivals. More information on Barbara Don and the Cantabile Chamber Players can be found on their Facebook page by clicking, here.
The Pasadena Conservatory of Music is a non-profit, nationally accredited community school whose mission is to educate, advocate, inspire, and share through music study and performance. The Cello Section's “Bach in the Subway” performance will be led by Elizabeth Bachmayer, String Department Chair. Read more about the Conservatory, here.
No doubt most people are familiar with the name Johann Sebastian Bach, but few know much about him other than his more famous pieces of classical work. Bach was a leading figure in the Baroque music period. As an accomplished organist and composer, his compositions are praised to this day as masterful in technical ability and beauty. The Brandenburg Concertos are powerful examples of the fine work he produced in his lifetime. They were originally written for the Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, a Prussian nobleman and military officer.
So take a break from that endless commute to enjoy a few moments of classical music in celebration of Johann Bach’s birthday this weekend, March 18th and 19th. The performances are free and open to the public, so stop by for this unique experience. Both groups will play at the Larry Zarian Transportation Center located at 400 West Cerritos Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204.
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