September 6-8, 2024
FILM: STRANGERS ON THE EARTH (2018)
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!”

November 8-9, 2024
FILM: CHACONNE (2023)
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!”

January 24-25, 2025

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!”

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 a lightly fictionalized 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!”