For the Bach Parley’s season finale concert, the period instrument players will join the Bach Parley Chamber Singers for music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Bernard Bach, and Georg Frideric Handel, as well as a little bit of Vivaldi. The concert will begin with an overture for strings by Johann Bernard Bach, J. S. Bach’s second cousin. Next, the women of the Chamber Singers will sing a duet from Vivaldi’s Gloria, and likewise the men will sing a duet from Bach’s cantata BWV 196. The center piece with all singers and players is J. S. Bach’s motet “Praise the Lord, all ye nations” (Lobet den Herrn, all Heiden, BWV 230). For the finale before the Parley’s annual reception, the ensemble will present an exuberant chorus - G. F. Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, “From harmony, from heavenly harmony.” St. Cecilia is known as the patron saint of music, and this piece likens the creation and structure of music with the creation of the universe.

This concert marks music director Valerie Arsenault’s tenth anniversary leading the Bach Parley since the revival concert in June 2008. Since then the Bach Parley has been performing primarily on period instruments, that is, harpsichord and baroque style stringed instruments with gut strings. The group focuses on music of Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries, as well as pieces written before J. S. Bach was born with music written in the years 1600-1750.

Performing on period-style instruments, the Bach Parley offers unique, exceptional concert experiences to educate and engage our community. We present Baroque music as it was performed hundreds of years ago with a fresh, accessible sound for today’s audiences. The French word “parley” means discussion and a key element of Bach Parley concerts is the commentary provided by Music Director Valerie Arsenault who gives historical context about the composers and offers suggestions about what to listen for in the music.

The Tallahassee Bach Parley is also the umbrella organization for a non-profit music school. In 2015, four teachers united to teach violin, viola, and cello at the Bach Parley String Academy at St. John’s Episcopal church, and now the Academy has grown to six teachers, almost 100 students, and even offers ukulele classes.

At all Sunday Tallahassee Bach Parley concerts this season, patrons will receive an insert in their programs with a discount coupon to use after the concert at participating downtown area restaurants. A $10 donation is suggested, and free childcare will be offered. The Bach Parley will hold their annual membership reception after the concert.

For additional information about the Tallahassee Bach Parley, including the Bach Parley String Academy music school, visit www.bachparley.org.

Enjoy the music, the venue, and the magic of Baroque performance with the Tallahassee Bach Parley!

Please join us for our annual membership reception after the concert.