2025 - 2026 Fall Season
Jul 18
6:00pm
THE MEMBERS CONCERT
New Marlborough Meeting House
New Marlborough, MA
The Young Artists of the Manchester Music Festival (VT) return to the New Marlborough Meeting House with Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, and selections from J.S. Bach’s Art of Fugue. Come hear these elite young players—the stars of tomorrow—studying with our friends at the Manchester Music Festival, now in its 51st year.
Contributions gratefully accepted.
Sep 13
3:00 PM
BBS PORTALS: SYSTEMS, SYMMETRY, AND MYSTERY IN THE MUSIC OF J.S. BACH
Saint James Place
Great Barrtngton, MA
Bruce Adolphe, musician, star of ‘Piano Puzzlers,’ and Resident Lecturer and Director of Family Concerts of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, considers the secrets behind the magic of Bach’s music and how he creates a world well worth exploring. Eugene Drucker hosts a conversation with Dr. Adolphe after the presentation.
Portals and TLI present the film Bach and Friends at Tanglewood’s Linde Center. The film, which features interviews and performances by an all-star cast from across the musical spectrum, is followed by a live performance and conversation with Simone Dinnerstein and Eugene Drucker.
Sep 20 | Oct 25
3:00pm
Kenneth Weiss
Peter Sykes
THE BERKSHIRE BACH HARPSICHORD FESTIVAL
The Berkshire Bach Harpsichord Festival returns to St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stockbridge with two of the world’s leading harpsichordists.October.
Sep 20 - Kenneth Weiss, a regular performer with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Professor of Music at the Paris Conservatory, and Berkshire Bach harpsichordist for Bach @ New Year’s, plays the complete ‘Goldberg’ Variations, BWV 988, in his first solo recital for BBS.
Oct 25 - Peter Sykes, principal instructor of harpsichord at the Juilliard School of Music, Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Historical Performance Department at Boston University, and a regular performer with Berkshire Bach, plays a recital of early Baroque masterpieces for keyboard.
Nov 08
3:00pm
BBS PORTALS and TLI present the film BACH AND FRIENDS AT TANGLEWOOD’S LINDE CENTER
The film, which features interviews and performances by an all-star cast from across the musical spectrum, is followed by a live performance and conversation with Simone Dinnerstein and Eugene Drucker
Nov 29
4:00pm
Berkshire Bach’s Annual Messiah Sing-Along
Turns the audience into the chorus in this FREE community sing-along led by Choral Conductor James Bagwell at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington.
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 1
Bach at New Year’s
Returns with Artistic Director Eugene Drucker leading the Berkshire Bach Ensemble in a performance of iconic Baroque masterworks—a holiday tradition since 1993!
Dec 30, 2025, 7pm: Academy of Music, Northampton, with NEPM
December 31, 2025, 6pm: Mahaiwe PAC, Great Barrington
January 1, 2026, 3pm: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, with WMHT
2025 - 2026 Spring Season
Jan 24
3:00pm
BBS PORTALS presents Why Bach Matters
A multi-media program at the Lenox Town Hall by music historian George Stauffer that runs the gamut from Baroque to modern rock and everything in between, Eugene Drucker plays live, and hosts a conversation with Dr. Stauffer following the presentation.
Feb 7
2:00pm
&
May 2
3:00pm
Berkshire Bach’s Organ Masters
—Two historic organs, two consummate organists.
In February, Renée Anne Louprette plays the historic Johnson Organ—the hidden gem of the Berkshires—at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Housatonic.
In May, Peter Sykes rouses the great Roosevelt Organ at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington in a program that brings out the beauty and power of this cultural treasure.
Mar 21
3:00pm
BBS PORTALS and TLI present the film In the Key of Bach
At the Tanglewood Learning Institute, followed by a live performance and conversation with filmmaker Hilan Warshaw hosted by Eugene Drucker. It’s Bach’s birthday—come celebrate!
April 18
April 19
3:00pm
St. John Passion
James Bagwell conducts two performances of J.S. Bach’s dramatic masterpiece with soloists, chorus, and orchestra at Tanglewood’s Linde Center and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
MAY 23
JUNE 13
JUNE 17
3:00 PM
Berkshire Bach’s Musik vor Bach—the Early Music Festival New!
May 23: Ruckus – The only period instrument rock band
June 13: Relic – Period Instrument Ensemble
June 27: 17-century French air de cour with Brandon Acker, Theorbo, and Jimmy Reese, Tenor.
COMPLETED EVENTS in our 2024-2025 SEASON
*** All online orders include $1.50 handling fee per ticket ***
DANE JOHANSEN, SOLO CELLO SUITES
June 28, 2025, 5:00pm NEW TIME!
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
29 Main Street | Stockbridge, MA
Cellist Dane Johansen brings our 2024-2025 season to a close with a solo recital of works by J.S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, and Gaspar Cassadó.
A member of the Cleveland Orchestra since 2016, Johansen was featured in the film Strangers on the Earth that chronicled his nearly 600-mile journey following the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route from France to Spain, with his cello on his back and stops to play Bach cello suites in churches along the way. During the trek he attracted a growing audience of fellow pilgrims and experienced a revolution in his thinking about performing music for others. Ten years after walking the Camino, he brings his artistry to Berkshire Bach and shares an intimate and contemplative program with our audience. We began our season with a showing of Strangers on the Earth and now come full circle with a solo recital by this gifted artist to conclude our 35th anniversary year.
J.S. Bach: Suite for Solo Cello No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012
Benjamin Britten: Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72
Gaspar Cassadó: Suite for Solo Cello
Tickets: $45 Nonmembers | $40 BBS Members | $10 Card-to-Culture | Children & Students FREE
Program duration: under 90 mins
FOOD FOR BODY AND SOUL - August 3
EUGENE DRUCKER & FRIENDS
A Berkshire Bach Fundraiser marking Mr. Drucker’s appointment as Artistic Director of The Berkshire Bach Society
Saturday, August 3, 2024 | 5pm
Kellogg Music Center | Bard College at Simon’s Rock
84 Alford Road | Great Barrington, MA
EUGENE DRUCKER, violin, ROBERTA COOPER, cello, and RENÉE ANNE LOUPRETTE, piano.
J.S. Bach: Partita No. 2 in D minor for Solo Violin, BWV 1004: Sarabande | Eugene Drucker, Violin
W.A. Mozart: Piano Trio No. 2 in G Major, K. 496 | Ensemble
F.J. Haydn: Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV/25 | Ensemble
J. Brahms: Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in G minor, Op. 78 | Eugene Drucker Violin, Renée Anne, Louprette Piano
“This was such a perfect event—from the magnificent performance to the beautiful reception to the opportunity to meet the musicians! Who knew Eugene Drucker played such a mean gypsy violin? Thank you, Berkshire Bach!”
Photo credit: Susan Fera Assmann
THE BBS HARPSICHORD FESTIVAL
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
29 Main Street | Stockbridge, MA
September 21, 2024 |4 pm
Peter Sykes plays a 50th Anniversary Concert commemorating his first public harpsichord recital in 1974.
Louis Couperin: Suite in F Major
J.P. Sweelinck: Mein junges Leben hat ein End
J.S. Bach: Concerto in the Italian Style, BWV 971
Nicola Saraceni Canzano: Partita in B-Flat Major
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“This concert was pure magic. All I can say is that I’m in love with Louis Couperin.”
Tristan Cook
September 6-8, 2024, 7pm
FILM: STRANGERS ON THE EARTH
Program duration: two and a quarter hours
Filmmaker Tristan Cook follows the journey of cellist Dane Johansen as he walks the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage road from Southern France to Spain with his cello on his back. Eugene Drucker introduces the event with a live performance and hosts a discussion with the filmmaker following the screening.
“Wonderful! Thank you, Berkshire Bach, for a fascinating evening!”
Elliot Figg and Caitlyn Koester
October 19, 2024, 4pm
Elliot Figg and Caitlyn Koester play ‘Skeletons of the Opera,’
Transcriptions of Baroque opera for Harpsichord, Four Hands.
H. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
G.F. Handel: Opera Overtures
E. Jacquet de La Guerre: Selections
J-B Lully: Selections transcribed by D’Anglebert
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“What fun! And serious music chops, too! Thank you, Berkshire Bach, for a delightful afternoon!”
Peter Sparling
November 8-9, 2024, 7pm
FILM: CHACONNE
Program duration: two hours
Distinguished choreographer and filmmaker Peter Sparling discusses 100 years of choreography to Bach and uses Bach’s iconic Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, as inspiration for dance sequences that explore the depths of artistic expression. The musical performance in the film is by BBS Artistic Director Eugene Drucker, who introduces the event with a live performance of the first four movements of BWV 1004, and hosts a discussion with the filmmaker following the screening. Mr. Drucker’s performances of the music of Bach in the Berkshires are exclusive to The Berkshire Bach Society.
“Loved this! What an amazing program! A real privilege to have these artists perform for us. Thank you, Berkshire Bach!”
THE BBS ANNUAL MESSIAH SING-ALONG - FREE!
November 30, 2024, 4 pm
First Congregational Church, Great Barrington
The audience becomes the chorus in this FREE community sing-along led by Choral Conductor James Bagwell, sponsored by the Local Cultural Councils of Alford-Egremont, Lenox, New Marlborough, Sheffield, and Stockbridge. Bring your own score or borrow one of ours, raise your voice, and sing! All singers and listeners welcome.
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“This was so much fun! And working with James Bagwell—he’s just fantastic! Thank you, Berkshire Bach, for doing this. We look forward to it every year!”
The Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Holiday Concert
December 7, 2024, 5pm
First Congregational Church, Stockbridge
The Berkshire Bach Players present a program of holiday favorites, Baroque style, plus an audience sing-along in this annual concert sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce. Tickets available through the Chamber. All proceeds benefit the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce.
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“This was awesome! It was so great to hear so many familiar pieces played ‘straight’ and by such wonderful musicians! The sing-along was really fun—especially the Hallelujah! chorus. Didn’t think we could manage it, but we did!”
BACH at NEW YEAR’S - The Six ‘Brandenburg’ Concertos
December-January
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“What a blast we had! I’ve been coming to this concert every year since 2005 and look forward to it all year long. I can’t imagine the holidays without it!”
“These musicians are incredible!”
“Great, just great!”
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Our holiday favorite returns with Artistic Director Eugene Drucker leading the Berkshire Bach Ensemble in performances of all six iconic ‘Brandenburg’ Concertos, in three venues. This is the first time since the pandemic that Berkshire Bach presents all six ‘Brandenburgs’ in one concert, continuing a 30-year Berkshires holiday tradition. Come join the fun!
Monday, December 30, 2024 | 7pm
Academy of Music |Northampton, MA
Tickets: 413-584-9032 • boxoffice@aomtheatre.com
Box Office Hours: Tues-Fri, 3-6pm
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 6pm
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center |Great Barrington, MA
Tickets: 413-528-0100 • boxoffice@mahaiwe.org
Box Office Hours: Wed-Sat, Noon-4pm
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 | 3pm
Co-presented with WMHT
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall |Troy, NY
Tickets: 518-273-0038 • tickets.troymusichall.org
Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm
BBS Member pre-sale September 18
Public sale September 24
Michael Marissen
January 24-25, 2025, 7pm
BOOK READINGS: BACH and GOD—Troubling Voices
Musicologist Michael Marissen provocatively explores the foundation of Bach’s religious beliefs and the social norms of Lutheran Germany, reading from his works on the subject—including Bach & God (2016) and Bach against Modernity (2023)—and identifying some of the revelations that shaped his own understanding of the composer. Eugene Drucker hosts a discussion with the author following the book reading.
“Fascinating program. There’s so much more to Bach’s music than I knew—makes me want to learn more!”
“Wonderful event. Another great reason to live in this area….Looking forward to the next event!”
Renée Anne Louprette
THE BBS ORGAN MASTERS - February 8 and May 3
Two historic organs, two consummate organists
UU Meeting of Southern Berkshire | Housatonic, MA
February 8, 2025, 2:00 pm
Renée Anne Louprette plays The Best of Bach—The Great Organ Works on the historic Johnson organ.
George Stauffer, PhD, provides commentary about Bach’s life and music.
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 541
J.S. Bach: Transcriptions from Cantatas, BWV 106, 137, 140, 147, 208
J.S. Bach: Fugue in G minor (“Little”), BWV 578
J.S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
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“What a wonderful organist!”
“So fun to hear these famous pieces live and played so beautifully!”
James R. Gaines
March 9, 2025, 3pm
Lenox Town Hall | 6 Walker Street, Lenox, MA
BOOK READING & LIVE PERFORMANCE: EVENING IN THE PALACE OF REASON
Journalist and author James R. Gaines provides an account of the true-life event in 1747 that produced Bach’s late masterpiece, Das Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079. The evening includes a book reading and presentation by the author, a live performance of the famous trio sonata from Das Musikalisches Opfer, and a discussion hosted by Artistic Director Eugene Drucker.
“This was more than wonderful!”
“I’m thrilled to know there are plans to do another series next season.”
“Excellent program! What a treat to see and hear the likes of Eugene Drucker perform in such an intimate setting, and the rest of the ensemble was fantastic as well. And the story was also fascinating!”
James Bagwell
First Congregational Church, Great Barrington
April 5, 2025
JAMES BAGWELL CONDUCTS HENRY PURCELL’S DIDO AND AENEAS
Berkshire Bach presents a concert performance of Henry Purcell’s opera DIDO AND AENEAS with professional soloists, chorus, and orchestra, led by BBS choral director James Bagwell. Come hear the classic story of love and abandonment from Virgil’s Aeneid, written over 2,000 years ago, brought to life by English composer Henry Purcell. The work has some of Purcell’s most beautiful and affecting vocal music, including Dido’s famous lament, When I am laid in Earth, that has been used in public commemorations, theatre works, and film to express grief and loss for over 300 years.
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“We thought the presentation of D&A yesterday afternoon was splendid.”
“The performance was absolutely transporting!”
“Still enraptured from yesterday's performance of DIDO AND AENEAS by the Berkshire Bach Society. Gorgeous work performed beautifully by this super group
….Such superb ensemble. Thank you, BBS!”
Peter Sykes
First Congregational Church, Great Barrington
May 3, 2025, 4:00 pm
The Organ Masters: Peter Sykes plays the Great Roosevelt Organ in a program that displays the remarkable versatility of this cultural treasure.
Co-sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Hear Peter Sykes play a program of works based on the hymn Vater unser im Himmelreich (The Lord’s Prayer), the most important prayer in Christianity, set by Samuel Scheidt, Georg Böhm, Felix Mendelssohn, and of course, J.S. Bach.Mr. Sykes is intimately familiar with the Roosevelt Organ and brings out the full beauty of the instrument in every style of music, from Baroque to 20th century repertoire. Come hear the instrument that was called “the largest and most important organ in America” at installation in 1883—truly the King of Instruments.
F. Mendelssohn: Sonata in D minor, Op. 65, No. 6
S. Scheidt: Vater unser im Himmelreich
G. Bōhm: Vater unser im Himmelreich
J.S. Bach: Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636, BWV 682, BWV 683
Prelude and Fugue in B minor, BWV 544
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“[This] concert was superb! The Scheidt was fascinating—it sounded so modern, like what people are writing today!”
“The BWV 544 - WOW! Brilliantly played…What a treat! Peter [Sykes] is indeed a gem.”
“What an interesting thing to hear so many settings of The Lord’s Prayer and all so different! Wonderful playing”
COMPLETED EVENTS in our 2023-2024 SEASON
A BAROQUE SPRING POSY
A BAROQUE SPRING POSY
We ended our season with a sell-out crowd listening to music for Baroque Violin and Harpsichord by J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel. Thank you for making our season a success! We’ll see you in August for the start of our next season!
Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 4pm
ELIZABETH VISITS THE VIRGIN MARY IN MAGNIFICAT
JAMES BAGWELL CONDUCTS MAGNIFICAT
Thrills, chills, and tears of joy! Thank you all for coming to our concert honoring our chairman ADRIAN VAN ZON. Here’s one audience member’s take:
“On Saturday, May 11, I was fortunate to be able to attend the Berkshire Bach presentation of CPE Bach's Magnificat and JS Bach's Magnificat, a program that honored their long-time Board Chair, Adrian van Zon. I cannot adequately say how wonderful and moving the performances were! The vocal and orchestral performers were terrific and sang and played as if they had been working together for years (which they had not!). The conductor, James Bagwell, must get credit for this unity. The audience was highly appreciative of their work, as judged by the prolonged standing ovation and later comments I heard, including that some were brought to tears….”
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 4pm
PETER SYKES
THE BERSHIRE BACH ORGAN MASTERS
II. PETER SYKES PLAYS THE GREAT ROOSEVELT ORGAN
Thank you for a thrilling afternoon! The organ is amazing—thank you for making it sing with such beautiful music!
Saturday, April 13, 2024
RENÉE ANNE LOUPRETTE
THE BERSHIRE BACH ORGAN MASTERS
I. RENÉE ANNE LOUPRETTE PLAYS THE HISTORIC
JOHNSON ORGAN
Thank you for a wonderful recital—perfect repertoire for the Housatonic organ!
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 2pm
2023-2024 EVENTS
J.S. BACH
BACH AT NEW YEAR’S: A VERY BAROQUE CELEBRATION
“Toes tapping and heads nodding in time with the music—I looked around and saw I wasn’t alone!”
Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 7pm
Academy of Music |Northampton, MA
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 6pm
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center |Great Barrington, MA
Monday, January 1, 2024 | 3pm
Co-presented with WMHT
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall |Troy, NY
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | STOCKBRIDGE
THE STOCKBRIDGE MAIN STREET AT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CONCERT
WITH THE BERKSHIRE BACH PLAYERS
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 7pm
Thanks for helping make this event a success for the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce! We loved playing for you!
JOYFUL MESSIAH SINGER
MESSIAH SING-ALONG!
Saturday, November 25, 2023 | 4pm
Thank you for coming and for making this one of the most successful sing-alongs ever!
FRENCH DOUBLE HARPSICHORD
THE BERKSHIRE BACH HARPSICHORD FESTIVAL
I. THE SOLO HARPSICHORD with Mariken Palmboom
Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 4pm
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TO THIS WONDERFUL EVENT! It was a very special afternoon.
II. THE ENSEMBLE HARPSICHORD with Elliot Figg and Caitlyn Koester
Sunday, November 12, 2023 | 4pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING! We really enjoyed showcasing our harpsichords in the Festival.
PRIOR SEASONS EVENTS
2022-2023
Thank you for a wonderful season!
ORLI SHAHAM
ORLI SHAHAM IN RECITAL
A BERKSHRE BACH FUNDRAISER
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Piano music by Mozart, Liszt, Clara Schumann, Chopin, and George Perle
Messiah Sing
MESSIAH SING!
Saturday, November 26, 2022
A FREE sing-along of favorite choruses accompanied by The Berkshire Bach Players and led by James Bagwell.
THE STOCKBRIDGE MAIN STREET AT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CONCERT featuring The Berkshire Bach Players
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Baroque favorites played by and ensemble of violin, viola, cello, and harpsichord plus a sing-along of popular holiday carols including Handel’s Hallelujah chorus.
BACH AT NEW YEAR’S: A BAROQUE CONCERTO SHOWCASE
Saturday, December 31, 2022| The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (Great Barrington, MA)
Sunday, January 1, 2023|Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (Troy, NY)
Monday, January 2, 2023| Academy of Music (Northampton, MA)
A concert of single, double, and triple concertos for every instrument in the orchestra.
THE ORGAN MASTERS-I:
RENÉE ANNE LOUPRETTE
plays the historic Johnson Organ
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Music by J.S. Bach, J.A. Reincken, J. Pachelbel, and N. Bruhns
THE ORGAN MASTERS-II:
BAROQUE ORGAN AND BRASS
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Peter Sykes, Ogan
John Thiessen, Baroque and Modern Trumpet,
Adam Gautille, Modern Trumpet
Music by Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, A. Marcello, Franceschini, Clarke, Stanley,
J.S. Bach, and Vivaldi
JAMES BAGWELL CONDUCTS BACH AND VIVALDI
May 13, 2023
A. Vivaldi: Stabat Mater, RV 621
J.S. Bach: Cantata, Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4
J.S. Bach: Cantata, Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht, BWV 211 (The Coffee Cantata)