The Berkshire Bach Society and New England Public Radio Present Bach at New Year’s: Brandenburgs PLUS

For the first time, The Berkshire Bach Society will bring its signature Bach at New Year’s program to the Pioneer Valley with a concert at the Academy of Music in Northampton on December 30 at 3:00 p.m.. New England Public Radio is proud to co-present the afternoon concert featuring The Berkshire Bach Ensemble, led by the world-renowned harpsichordist, Kenneth Cooper, and including soloists Joseph Silverstein and Eugene Drucker.

On the program will be a delicious Concerto for two horns, two oboes and solo violin by the irrepressible Antonio Vivaldi, the ever-popular Bach Double Concerto for Violin and Oboe in a new reconstruction by Dr. Cooper, and the devilish Harpsichord Concerto No. 15 in D minor by Handel (stolen largely from Telemann) with a special cadenza by harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper.

 The musical party will be rounded out by Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti Nos. 2 and 3, the latter in Berkshire Bach’s own special version with lots of winds, an idea that originated with the old master himself.

Tickets ($45, $35, $20) are available through the Academy of Music Box Office. Please call 413.584.9032 x105 or visit www.academyofmusictheatre.com. Students free with ID. New England Public Radio Community Connection Card holders and Berkshire Bach Society members receive $5 off.

Bach at New Year’s will also be presented at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA on New Year’s Eve, and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY, on New Year’s Day. For more information on these concerts, please visit www.berkshirebach.org or call 413 528-9277.

 Photos by Paul Johansen