Bach in the Subways

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Bach in the Subways is a grass-roots movement to bring public attention to classical music, mainly through free concerts in celebration of the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (March 21). First performed as solo concerts in the New York City Subway in 2010 by cellist Dale Henderson, by 2015 events were performed by thousands of musicians in 129 cities in more than 39 countries, and every March since, for Bach's birthday, performances are given by thousands of musicians in hundreds of locations around the world. [1]

Contents

Origins

Bach in the Subways was originally conceived and executed as a solo project by cellist Dale Henderson beginning in early 2010, when he began a campaign of frequent performances of the Bach Cello Suites in the New York City Subway. Instead of putting out a tip jar and asking for money from subway passengers, Henderson flipped the usual scenario upside down: he refused donations and offered listeners free souvenir postcards with an iconic image on the front, and the following message on the back:

More people listen to classical music today than ever before. The internet provides instant access to a genre whose global popularity increases yearly. Ironically, the number of Americans who attend live classical music events continues to dwindle. Many feel this trend threatens the future survival of classical music in this country.The Bach Solo Cello Suites are perfect ambassadors for classical music: their power and beauty unfailingly inspire great appreciation, joy and deep emotion in those who hear them. I perform the Suites in the subways of New York City to sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers.

Announcing on the Bach in the Subways Facebook and Twitter pages where and when he would appear on the day of performances, Henderson's work attracted attention from various media and musicians, notably an October 2010 video piece by CNN's Tawanda Scott entitled “He’s playing to save the music,” [2] and an endorsement on Facebook by jazz saxophonist Brandon Marsalis. [3] Henderson continued this intensive campaign of performances, often appearing two to three times a week, throughout 2010, 2011, and the earlier months of 2012, after which he continued to give Bach in the Subways performances but scaled back somewhat in frequency.

Founding of Bach in the Subways Day

On March 10, 2011, Henderson posted the following message on the Bach in the Subways Facebook page:

Musicians: pick any subway station & any time between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 21, play Bach, and when people try to give you money don't take it. Just tell them it's Bach's birthday, and to enjoy the music. This is Bach in the Subways Day! If interested contact me.…

Two cellists, Michael Lunapiena and Eric Edberg, cello professor at the DePauw University School of Music in Indiana, responded to Henderson's call to action and the three of them offered Bach Cello Suites to New York City Subway passengers in various stations throughout the city on March 21 – Bach's 326th birthday.

In March 2012, Henderson again circulated the call to action and attracted the attention of oboist Kristin Olson, whose enthusiasm and energy for the project helped increase interest among musicians. For Bach's 327th birthday 13 musicians in New York joined the effort, and for the first time Henderson had special Bach in the Subways Day cards designed and printed for musicians to distribute during their performances. The cards featured on their front the picture of Bach wearing a party hat which has since come to symbolize the Bach in the Subways movement around the world, and, on the back, a message:

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 is Johann Sebastian Bach’s 327th birthday. To celebrate his life and music, and to sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers, musicians will be performing Bach in the Subways in stations throughout New York City throughout the day. We do not want money, but simply ask that you listen and open yourself up to the power of the music.

The day's festivities were covered in The Wall Street Journal , including a multimedia piece by Daniella Zalcman, [4] and in another multimedia piece by New York's Classical Music Radio Station, WQXR-FM featuring performances by baroque cellist John Mark Rozendaal and other Bach in the Subways Day performers. [5]

Bach in the Subways Days 2013–2015

For Bach's 328th birthday in 2013, the number of participating musicians grew to 45 and spread to Boston, Cincinnati, Miami, and Montreal. In New York, a 17-piece chorus organized by Stephen J. Herschkorn and calling themselves "Untersingen: The Bach Edition" roamed the subways offering Bach to straphangers. Henderson again armed musicians with Bach in the Subways Day cards to distribute to audiences while they performed, and New York's WQXR covered the festivities for a second year, this time offering a Google Maps interactive map on their website, with pins detailing all New York performances. [6] This, along with coverage from Time Out New York , [7] led to "Bach hopping' – fans travelled from performance to performance, taking pictures and shooting video. [8]

While beginning work on Bach in the Subways Day 2014, Henderson was approached by Los Angeles-based classical music enthusiast and photographer Jeehyun Lee, who was interested in organizing Bach in the Subways Day in Los Angeles. This was the first time an organizer other than Henderson worked on Bach in the Subways Day, and marked the beginning of an inflection point in the growth of the movement. Bach in the Subways Day 2014 was joined by 77 musicians in 12 cities in 4 countries, including 22 performers organized by Lee in Los Angeles, and a quartet of three cellos and a tuba on a moving subway train in Taipei. It was the first year a Bach in the Subways website offered Google map pins and listings for all the performances.

In the months following Bach in the Subways Day 2014, Henderson was contacted by amateur and professional musicians as well as musical organizations in Seattle, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and cities in Germany, all interested in organizing Bach in the Subways Day in their cities. In addition Henderson and Seattle organizer Rob Solomon, a professional anesthesiologist and amateur pianist and Bach lover, began a global email outreach campaign to invite musicians across the world to join Bach in the Subways Day 2015. On March 21, 2015, Johann Sebastian Bach's 330th birthday, thousands of musicians in 130 cities in 40 countries participated in the fifth Bach in the Subways Day.

Notable Bach in the Subways Day 2015 performances

CcountryTownPerformanceInstruments
ArgentinaBuenos AiresArgencello at Plaza de la Constitucióncellos
Buenos AiresLas Nereidas at Galileo Galilei Planetariumstring quartet
AustraliaMelbourneAustralian Bach Society at The Block Arcadeguitars, flute, violin, cello, saxophone & Uilleann pipes
SydneyUniversity of Sydney Conservatorium of Music Senior Lecturer in Piano Daniel Herscovitch and students at Macquarie Streetpiano
Botany BayUniversity of Sydney faculty Steven Machamer at Mascot Stationvibraphone
PerthUniversity of Western Australia Cello Ensemble at Brookfield Placecellos
PerthWest Australian Symphony Orchestra Principal Piccolo Michael Waye & University of Western Australia student Jonty Coy at Perth railway stationflutes
AustriaLinzInstituts für Alte Musik und historisch informierte Aufführungspraxis students at Linz Hauptbahnhofflutes, baroque cello, baroque oboes & baroque bassoons
ViennaVienna Philharmonic Principal Cellist/Vienna State Opera Orchestra Principal Cellist Tamás Varga at Albertinaplatzcello
BelarusMinskformer Kiev Opera Theatre Principal Bassoon Maksim Zabara at Frunzenskaya Metrobassoon
BrazilBrasíliaAcademia Camerata Real at Estação Praça do Relógio Metrôviolins, viola, cello, flute, trombone & trumpet
Pauliceia, São PauloMacrisan Music School studentsdrums, bass, guitar, keyboard, cavaquinho, mandolin & viola
CanadaTorontoCecllia Quartet violist Caitlin Boyleviola
TorontoChurch of the Holy Trinity Music Director Ian Grundy at Church of the Holy Trinity – "Happy Birthday Bach Walk"organ
British ColumbiaKamloops Symphony Orchestra Principal Second Violin Annette Dominik at The Art We Are Artisan Market & Tournament Capital Centreviolin
TorontoMetropolitan United Church Director of Music Dr. Patricia Wright – "Happy Birthday Bach Walk"organ
EdmontonSociety for Talent Education & Edmonton Suzuki Flute & Recorder Society students & faculty at Churchill LRT Stationmixed
TorontoSt. Andrew's Church Director of Music Dan Bickle & Leslie Bickle at St. Andrew's Church – "Happy Birthday Bach Walk"organ & soprano
TorontoTafelmusik's Christopher Verrette at Gardiner Museum & Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centreviolin
TorontoTafelmusik's Patricia Ahern at Toronto Reference Library & Royal Ontario Museumviolin
TorontoToronto Symphony Orchestra membersmixed
ChinaHong KongKinderU Suzuki Music Academy at Central Terminal & Wanchai Subwayviolins, violas & cellos
EcuadorGuayaquilCalmus Ensemble at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airportvocal quintet
EnglandHuddersfieldHuddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra cello section – Bach in the Pubway at the Flying Ferretcellos
LondonRoyal Orchestral Society at Tottenham Court Road tubestring orchestra
FinlandHelsinkiFinnish Baroque Orchestra memberscello & viola
GeorgiaTbilisiZakaria Paliashvili Central Music School students at Vake Parkchamber orchestra & chorus
GermanyLeipzigamarcord at Markt, S-Bahn-Stationvocal quintet
BonnBrandenburg Concerto No. 3 at Uni-Markt metro stopchamber orchestra
HannoverCapella St. Crucis at Markthalle, Steintorplatz & Hauptbahnhof, Eingangshallemixed choir
DresdenDresden Philharmonic conducted by Kazuki Yamada at Frauenkircheorchestra
DresdenEnsemble Mediterrain members at Theaterplatz & on moving trolleyviolin, viola & cello
HeidelbergHeidelberger Studentenkantorei & instrumentalists conducted by Christoph Andreas Schäfer at Willy-Brandt-Platzchoir, marimba, guitar, bassoon & violone
Leipzig Leipziger Universitätschor members at Markt Stationvocal
LeipzigMadrigio & Matthias Schubotz with forum Thomanum students at Markt Stationchoirs
LeipzigMendelssohn-Orchesterakademie members at Hauptbahnhof, S-Bahn-Stationviolin & flute
BonnMünsterplatz – The Castvocal & piano
LeipzigMusikschule Leipzig at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz S-Bahn-Stationmixed
Mülheim (Ruhr)Musikschule Mülheim students & faculty at Mülheim (Ruhr) Hauptbahnhofmixed
GelsenkirchenMusikverein Gelsenkirchen Neue Philharmonie Westfalen members at Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhofchoir & strings
KasselStaatsorchester Kassel at Opernplatzvarious ensembles
LeipzigUniversity of Music and Theatre "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig students at Hauptbahnhof, S-Bahn-Stationmixed
PaderbornUniversity of Paderborn students & piano faculty Eckhard Wiemann at Libori Galeriemixed
HungaryBudapestÁdám Jenő Music School students, Musica Florens, Ditta Rohmann, Széchenyi University Flute Professor Gergely Ittzés, Franz Liszt Academy of Music Viola Professor Péter Bársony at Kálvin tér subway stationmixed
BudapestAll Budapest Bach in the Subways musicians led by University of Pécs faculty Salamon Kamp in front of St. Stephen's Basilicachoir & orchestra
BudapestBalázs Fülei, György Lakatos, Mihály Demeniv, Lutherania Choir & others at Great Market Hallpiano, trumpet, trombone, violin, bassoon, accordion & choir
BudapestDitta Rohmann, György Lakatos, Klára Bábel and others at the Astoriacellos, bassoons, saxophone, syrinx, flute & harp
SzékesfehérvárHermann László Conservatoire faculty & students at Kossuth utca 3flutes & pianos
BudapestLiszt Ferenc Academy of Music students Ibolya Vörösváry & Márton Vörösváry at Petőfi térviola & violin
SzékesfehérvárMiklós Teleki & friends at Saint Imre Churchorgan, soprano & trombone
SzékesfehérvárPrimavera Mixed Choir & Alba Regia Symphony Orchestra conducted by Béla Drahos at Alba Plaza shopping centerchoir & orchestra
BudapestSchola Cantorum Budapestiensis, Járdányi Pál Music School Choir, Fischer Annie Music School Choir, Madách High School Choir, Hungarian Tuba Ensemble & Lutherania Choir at Deák Ferenc térorgan & choirs
IrelandCorkCIT Cork School of Music students at Crawford Art Gallerychamber choir
ItalyMilanCambristi at Duomo metro stationMilan
CampobassoConservatorio di Musica "Lorenzo Perosi" students & faculty at Railway Station of Campobassoharpsichords, flutes, violins, double basses, violas, voices, bassoons, guitars, marimbas & accordions
RomeRinaldi–Meniconi Duet at the Church of San Tommaso da Villanovaviolin & harpsichord
VeniceVenetia Antiqua with Liesl Odenweller at St. George's Anglican Churchsoprano & baroque chamber ensemble
JapanTokyoAsagaya Ainebitte Music School students at Nihonbashi Mitsui Towerorchestra
TokyoChika Edanami & NHK Symphony Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster Rintaro Omiya at Nihonbashi Mitsui Towerviolins
TokyoDuo Cosmos at Furomae Cafepiano four hands
OsakaYoshinori Nishitsuji and friends at Rinku Papillio "Star of Square"violin, piano & accordion
NaraIkaruga Hall foyer Natsuki Umemoto (R) & Yoshinori Nishitsujirecorder & accordion
NaraTrattoria Maezawa Mitsuki Fukuhara(P),Natsuki Umemoto(R),Yoshinori Nishitsujipiano,recorder & accordion
TokyoKenji Nakagi at Nihonbashi Mitsui Towercello
Koyasan"Bach in Japan’s 1200 Year Old Buddhist Town" Yoshinori Nishitsuji & Rika Onoue (S)accordion, piano & soprano
TokyoLeipzig Bach Competition 1st Prize Winner Seiji Okamoto at Yamate Churchviolin
HiroshimaMihara Chamber Orchestraflute & string orchestra
TokyoTokyo Metropolitan Orchestra Principal Oboe Tomoyuki Hirota & chamber orchestra at Omotesando Hillschamber orchestra
TokyoWieniawski Competition winner Keiko Urushihara, University of Music Detmold Piano Professor Jacob Leuschner, Morita String Quartet violinist Masahiro Morita & cellists Kenji Nakagi & Christopher S. Gibson at Hakuju Hallcellos, violins & cembalo
LithuaniaVilniusBaroque Contempo (former Sel member Silvija Pankūnaitė, former Pieno lazeriai member Vytis Smolskas & soprano Karolina Glinskaitė) at Vilnius Railway Stationvoices & piano
MexicoMexico CityConservatorio Nacional de Música de México – "A Little Homage to Bach in Mexico"violin, clarinet, French horn, tuba & Piano
ChihuahuaPhilharmonic Orchestra of the State of Chihuahua, Sistema Musical Se´Wá, Kapellmeister Ensamble Coral, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua Conservatorio de Música faculty, students & symphony orchestramixed
New ZealandAuckland Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's APO Young Achievers at Britomart Transport Centrestring quartet
Wellington New Zealand School of Music students at Lambton Quay & Wellington Railway Stationviola & cello
Wellington New Zealand String Quartet's Helene Pohl & Rolf Gjelsten at City Galleryviolin & cello
Dunedin University of Otago Executant Lecturer of Cello Heleen du Plessis with Elaine Wilden at Dunedin Hospitalcellos
DunedinUniversity of Otago Executant Lecturer of Cello Heleen du Plessis, University of Otago students & Southern Sinfonia members – "Cellists of Otago" at St Paul's Cathedral, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum & Dunedin Railway Stationcellos
NigeriaLagosDevon Carpenter at Lagoon RestaurantCeltic harp
NorwayBergenFana Unge Strykere at Strømgaten 2 Railway Stationcellos & violins
KristiansandUniversity of Agder students at the University of Agder, Sandens, Kristiansand Airport & Sørlandets Travparkpiano, voice, clarinet & double bass
PhilippinesMakati, Muntinlupa & Quezon CityManila Symphony Orchestra at Ayala Mallsmixed
MuntinlupaManila Symphony Orchestra with Renato Lucas & Karen Fatima Francisco at Corte de las Palmasorchestra, cello & piano
PortugalCastelo BrancoEscola Superior de Artes Applicadas students at Central Bus Station & Sacristia da Sé Concatedralviolins, bass, guitar, piano, harpsichords & vocal
LisbonHolland Baroque Society founder Tineke Steenbrink with João Ramos Marta, Alieke Pijl & Anna Schweizerharpsichord, flutes & cello
Puerto RicoOld San JuanConservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico Professor Luis Hernández-Mergal Bach Open Housepiano
ScotlandGlasgowRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland students at Glasgow Subwaymixed
SingaporeSingaporeT’ang Quartet at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, The Tube at Orchard Gateway, Raffles City Shopping Centre, CityLink Mall & Bayfront MRT Stationstring quartet
SloveniaLjubljanaUniversity of Ljubljana Academy of Music students at the Academy of Music, Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje 2 & Pasaža Maximarketamixed
South AfricaJohannesburgBuskaid Soweto String Ensemble at Nedbank Diepkloof Squareviolins
South KoreaSeoulArietta Ensemble & Magic A at Children's Grand Park Stationvioin, viola, clarinet & piano
SeoulEducastra at Yeouinaru Stationbrass band
SeoulRyeon Flute at Samgakji Stationflute trio
SeoulSeoul Motet Choir & Vermeer's Friends at COEX Mallstring ensemble
SpainSevilleEscuela de Música Joaquín Turina students at Puerta Jerez metro stationorchestra, cello quartet, guitar duo & violins
PamplonaHelloCello! at Civivox Condestablecellos
SwedenLundLIMUS Music Schoolmixed
StockholmSwedish String Teachers' Association members at Stadion metro stationstrings
TaiwanKaohsiung"Bach in Formosa"violin, viola, cello, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, flute & vocal
ThailandBangkokCollege of Music at Mahidol University faculty & students at Kamphaeng Phet Stationsingers, strings & flute
UkraineLvivCantus Chamber Choir, Youth Academic Symphony Orchestra INSO-Lviv conducted by Natalia Ponomarchuk, Dudaryk Choir, Lviv State Musical College Youth Choir, St. Olga and Elizabeth Cathedral Nadiya Youth Choir, Academic Chamber Orchestra Lviv Virtuosos, Choir of The Holy Eucharist Church Soli Deo & Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra at Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hallmixed
LvivLviv Philharmonic Orchestra, Galician Academic Chamber Choir, Ethella Chupryk, Youth Academic Symphony Orchestra INSO-Lviv, Royal Flemish Philharmonic Principal Flutist Aldo Baerten & Lviv Chamber Orchestra ACADEMIA at Lyudkevych Concert Hall of Lviv Philharmonicmixed
LvivRegional J.S. Bach Festival Competition winners, Collegium Musicum members & High Castle Academic Ensemble at Potocki Palacemixed
United StatesMassachusetts: CambridgeA Far Cry cellist Michael Unterman with Kristin Olson & Tatiana Duabek at Harvard Square Red Linecello, oboe & violin
Washington: SeattleAmerican Guild of Organists' Alan Berg All-Bach Open Housemixed
Washington: SeattleAmerican Viola Society Gardner Competition 1st Prize Winner Rachel Matthews & students at Beacon Hill Light Rail Stationpiano
Florida: Fort LauderdaleArtserve at Fort Lauderdale Librarymixed
Georgia: AtlantaAtlanta Symphony Orchestra Principal musicians Christina Smith, Elisabeth Remy Johnson & Christopher Rex at Lenox Mallflute, harp & cello
Texas: HoustonBach Society Houston 12 Hour Bach Marathon at Christ the King Lutheran Churchmixed
Massachusetts: BostonBerklee College of Music students at South Stationchamber orchestra & choir
New York: BrooklynBern Dibner Library, NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering (Kay Lugh)piano
Massachusetts: BostonBoston Symphony Orchestra cellist Mickey Katz at Park Street, Downtown Crossing & Harvard Square subway stationscello
Kentucky: Murray Bourbon Baroque Artistic Director John Austin Clark at Murry State University's Price Doyle Fine Arts Centerpiano
Vermont: BurlingtonBurlington Chamber Orchestra at Burlington Town Centerchamber orchestra
Washington: KentCenterpiece Jazz Band members at Kent Lutheran Churchelectric guitar & electric bass
Nebraska: LincolnChiara String Quartet violist Jonah Sirota at The Railyardviola
California: ClaremontClaremont School of Music violin faculty Ellen Jung, Jeff Gauthier, University of Redlands viola faculty Kira Blumberg & Eclipse Quartet/Mojave Trio cellist Maggie Parkins at Laemmle Claremont 5string quartet
California: ClaremontClaremont Symphony Orchestra violinist Yina Ma at Claremont Village Squareviolin
Virginia: WilliamsburgCollege of William & Mary Instructor of Organ, Piano & Harpsichord Thomas Marshall & Professor Ruth van Baak Griffioen at Wren Libraryorgan & recorder
Ohio: CincinnatiConsort in the Egg at Nordstrom Kenwood Towne Centrerecorders
Washington: SeattleDusty Strings Music Schoolstrings
New York: RochesterEastman School of Music students at Hart's Local Grocersmixed
California: Santa MonicaElemental Strings students at Santa Monica Placestrings
Massachusetts: BostonEmmanuel Music at Emmanuel Churchorchestra
Massachusetts: BostonEnsemble Terpsichore at Back Bay Stationchoral ensemble
Massachusetts: BostonFirst Lutheran Church of Boston – "Boston Bach Birthday 330"mixed
Florida: Boca RatonFlorida Atlantic University Department of Music Assistant Professor Dr. Irena Kofman & students at Boca Raton Museum of Artpiano
Washington: IssaquahFoothills Cello Choir at Gilman Villagecellos
South Carolina: GreenvilleGreenville Symphony Orchestra at Hendricks Library, Hughes Main Library & Symphony Centermixed
Indiana: IndianapolisIndyBaroque Music, Inc. members & friends at St. Vincent Hospital, Fashion Mall at Keystone & Indianapolis Public Library Central Branchmixed
Washington: LyndenJansen Art Centermixed
New York: New YorkJohn Mark Rozendaal at Dyckman/200th St A Trainbaroque cello
Washington: SeattleJovino Santos Neto (Cornish College of the Arts Professor) at SeaTac Lightrail Transit Stationpiano
California: BerkeleyJunior Bach Festival at Downtown Berkeley BART Stationbassoon, guitar, marimba, steel drum & more
Washington: SeattleLadies Musical Club of Seattle members at Classic Pianos & Caffe Appassionatopiano & soprano
Pennsylvania: AnnvilleLebanon Valley College – "Bach in 10"mixed
New York: New YorkLindsey Horner at 181 Street A Train Stationupright bass
Texas: IrvingLone Star Youth Orchestra at Irving Arts Centermixed
California: Los AngelesLos Angeles Zoo – Sterling Flute Choirflutes
Georgia: Fort ValleyMary Ann & David Thames at St. Andrew's Episcopal Churchviolin & cello da spalla
Washington: SeattleMelia Watras (University of Washington School of Music Strings Chair) & Seattle Symphony pianist Kimberly Russ at Nordstrom Flagship Storeviola & piano
Tennessee: MemphisMemphis Public Library – Duetto Memphistomandolin & guitar
Massachusetts: BostonMistral at Harvard Squarechamber orchestra
California: Palo AltoMitchell Park Library (Andrew Lu & Emil Ernström)flute & keyboard
Mississippi: OxfordMockingbird Early Music Ensemble at Off Square Booksrecorders, viole da gamba, harp, baroque guitar, psaltery, crumhorn & harpsichord
California: ModestoModesto Junior College Community Orchestra at 10th Street Plazaorchestra
California: Los AngelesMUSE/IQUE members at L.A. Central Librarycello & violins
New York: EllenvilleMusic Institute Of Sullivan And Ulster Counties faculty at St. Johns Episcopal Churchviolin, viola & cello
Washington: SeattleMusikgarten faculty and students & Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church's Children's Choir Director Evelyn Hartwell and students at Caffe Appassionatopiano
Florida: Pompano BeachMusikMakersmixed
California: ClaremontNational Cello Institute faculty Lynn Burrows & Edris Boyll-Kuzia at Laemmle's Claremont 5violin & cello
South Dakota: VermillionNational Music Museum – "Bach in the Museum"mixed
Massachusetts: BostonNew England Conservatory of Music studentsmixed
Massachusetts: BostonNorth End Music and Performing Arts Center faculty David Hurtado Gómez at Downtown Crossing subwaycello
Ohio: ColumbusOhio Capital Winds at Barnes and Noblewind ensemble
North Carolina: CharlotteOpera Carolina at Amelie's Bakery & 7th Street Public Marketvoices
Washington: SeattleOrchestra Seattle violinist Jason Hershey at Caffe Appassionatoviolin
Oregon: PortlandOregon Guitar Quartet at Zoo/Washington Park metro stopguitar quartet
California: GlendalePasadena Conservatory of Music Cello Ensemble at Glendale Metrolink Stationcellos
California: Los AngelesPasadena Conservatory of Music Violin and Viola Program Director Mary Kelly & Lamp Arts Program students at Lamp Communityviolin & soprano
Washington: SeattlePaul Taub (Cornish College of the Arts Professor) with students & Rainbow City Orchestra at SeaTac Lightrail Transit Stationflute & mixed
South Carolina: LaurensPresbyterian College Associate Professor of Music Dr. Richard Thomas at Laurens County Public Librarycello
Pennsylvania: PhiladelphiaRachel's Cellist Eve Miller & friends at Suburban Stationcello, baroque bassoon, baroque flute & recorders
Rhode Island: East ProvidenceRhode Island Philharmonic Music School at Carter Center for Music Education & Performancemixed
California: Beverly HillsRiko Method School of Piano at Steinway Piano Gallery of Beverly Hillspiano
Texas: San AntonioSan Antonio Symphony musicians at San Antonio Public Library's Great Northwest Branch & Pan American Branchcello & violin
California: San FranciscoSan Francisco Civic Symphony members at Powell Stationstrings
Washington: SeattleSeattle Historical Arts for Kids, Rajan Krishnaswami & Seattle Flute Choir at Westlake Transit Tunnelstrings, cello & flutes
Washington: SeattleSeattle Philharmonic Orchestra musicians at Crossroads Malloboe, violin, viola & cello
Washington: SeattleSeattle Violoncello Society – "Complete Cello Suites Marathon" at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Churchcellos
Washington: SeattleSeattle-Tacoma International Airportmixed
Illinois: CarbondaleSouthern Illinois University Carbondale students & facultycello, violin & flute
California: Culver CitySTAR Prep Academy at The Lion's Fountainstring quartet
California: Van NuysSuzuki Music Program of Los Angeles students & teachers at Lake Balboa Parkstrings
Oklahoma: TulsaTulsa Symphony members at Tulsa Transit Station, Guthrie Green, Utica Square Courtyard, Woodland Hills Mall & Oklahoma Methodist Manormixed
Minnesota: MinneapolisTwin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presented in cooperation with Minnesota Public Radio's Pipedreams at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, First Unitarian Society, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church & Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Markorgan
Massachusetts: AmherstUMass Amherst students at Amherst Books, Subway Sandwich Shop & The Works Bakery and Caféviolins & cellos
California: Los AngelesUnion Station 10 Hour Bach Marathon: Pomona College cello faculty Roger Lebow, Los Angeles Organ Company, Enlightenment Music Series, Neil Galanter & Dan Arthur Fritz, Isaura String Quartet, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra violinist James Stark, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson & Palisades Symphony Orchestra Principal Bass Denisa Hannamixed
Idaho: MoscowUniversity of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music faculty at Moscow Brewing Companyviolin, trombone, guitar & cello
Iowa: Iowa CityUniversity of Iowa Cello Professor Anthony Arnone at Old Capitalcello
North Carolina: Winston-SalemUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts & Salem College organ studios at Crawford Hallorgan
Oregon: EugeneUniversity of Oregon School of Music faculty Dr. John J. Jantzi in conjunction with the American Guild of Organists Eugene Chapter at Episcopal Church of the Resurrectionorgan
South Carolina: ColumbiaUniversity of South Carolina School of Music students at Drip Coffeeclarinet quartet, cello, guitar, flute solo & flute quartet
Utah: Salt Lake CityUtah Symphony members at Salt Lake City International Airportmixed
Utah: Salt Lake CityUtah Symphony Youth Guild students at Salt Lake City Public Librarymixed
Washington: SeattleWashington Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society's Kendra McLean & Memmi Ochi at REI Store & Crossroads Mallmarimbas
Washington: Bellevue"Well-Tempered Clavier Marathon" at Classic Pianos of Bellevue/Seattle, Washingtonpiano
WalesLlandudnoEnsemble Cymru at The Tabernacle, Victoria Centre, Venue Cymru & BHS Storebrass

Bach in the Subways 2016–present

Following the enormous success of Bach in the Subways Day 2015, which fell on a Saturday, it was decided to extend the festival to the days and weekend before or after the birthday, so performers could again participate on the weekend. Additionally the word "Day" was dropped to avoid confusion. Since then, every March countless musicians and organizations in hundreds of cities in over 40 countries around the world join the cause to bring as much live Bach to humanity as possible.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mats Lidström</span>

Mats Lidström is a Swedish solo cellist, recording artist, chamber musician, composer, teacher and publisher.

James Zuill Bailey, better known as Zuill Bailey is a celebrated, Grammy Award-winning American cello soloist, chamber musician, and artistic director. A graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and the Juilliard School, he has appeared in recital and with major orchestras internationally. He is a professor of cello and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at El Paso. Bailey’s extensive recording catalogue are released on TELARC, Avie, Steinway and Sons, Octave, Delos, Albany, Sono Luminus, Naxos, Azica, Concord, EuroArts, ASV, Oxingale and Zenph Studios.

Laszlo Varga was a Hungarian-born American cellist who had a worldwide status as a soloist, recording artist, and authoritative cello teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvey Shapiro (cellist)</span> American cellist and teacher (1911–2007)

Harvey Shapiro was an American cellist and teacher. His professional debut was in 1935 at New York City's Town Hall. Following this, he was chosen by Arturo Toscanini to play in the cello section of the NBC Symphony Orchestra, whereupon he became its principal in 1943. He was also a founding member of its associated chamber ensembles, the Primrose Quartet and NBC Trio.

Maurice Gendron was a French cellist, conductor and teacher. He is widely considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. He was an Officer of the Legion of Honor and a recipient of the National Order of Merit. He was an active member of the French Resistance during World War II.

Alan Shulman was an American composer and cellist. He wrote a considerable amount of symphonic music, chamber music, and jazz music. Trumpeter Eddie Bailey said, "Alan had the greatest ear of any musician I ever came across. He had better than perfect pitch. I've simply never met anyone like him." Some of his more well known works include his 1940 Neo-Classical Theme and Variations for Viola and Piano and his A Laurentian Overture, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1952 under the baton of Guido Cantelli. Also of note is his 1948 Concerto for Cello and Orchestra which was also premiered by the New York Philharmonic with cellist Leonard Rose and conductor Dmitri Mitropoulos. Many of Shulman's works have been recorded, and the violinist Jascha Heifetz and jazz clarinetist Artie Shaw have been particular exponents of his work both in performance and on recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bion Tsang</span> American cellist and professor (born 1967)

Bion Yu-Ting Tsang is an American cellist and professor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Finckel</span> American musician

David Finckel is an American cellist and influential figure in the classical music world. The cellist for the Emerson String Quartet from 1979 to 2013, Finckel is currently the co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York, co-founder of the independent record label ArtistLed, co-artistic director and co-founder of Music@Menlo in Silicon Valley, producer of Cello Talks, professor of cello at The Juilliard School, and visiting professor of music at Stony Brook University.

The Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály wrote his Sonata for Solo Cello in B minor, Op. 8, in 1915. It was first performed in 1918 and published in 1921.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Henderson (cellist)</span> American cellist poet (born 1976)

Dale Henderson is an American cellist. He plays a 1914 Thomas James Holder cello. Henderson is the founder and thought leader for the worldwide music movement Bach in the Subways, and has toured the world performing equal access concerts to renew interest in classical music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yiorgos Kaloudis</span> Greek cellist and Cretan lyra player (born 1973)

Yiorgos Kaloudis is a Greek cellist and Cretan lyra player.

Edmund Kurtz was a Russian-born Australian cellist and music editor. He was renowned for his "impeccable technique", "innate musicality", and his "rich tone", with a "warm, sensuous quality that seldom loses its luster". In a career spanning 60 years, he performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. His edition of Bach's Suites for solo cello, drawn upon facsimiles of the manuscript of Anna Magdalena Bach and showing them opposite each page, is recognized as one of his greatest achievements, and was described as "the most important edition of the greatest music ever written for the instrument".

References

  1. "Los Angeles' Bach in the Subways celebration ready to roll Saturday". Los Angeles Times . 20 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-20.
  2. CNN.com "He's playing to save the music"
  3. See Brandon Marsalis' Facebook page.
  4. The Wall Street Journal "For Bach's Birthday, Sound Underground"
  5. "WQXR | New York's Classical Music Radio Station".
  6. "WQXR | New York's Classical Music Radio Station".
  7. Time Out New York http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/thursday-is-bach-in-the-subways-day
  8. YouTube video of "Bach hopping": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VZPtAqymHg