The Cleveland Orchestra Releases Complete Schedule for BACH IN FOCUS Events, 10/15

CLEVELAND - Continuing his recent composer explorations of Bruckner, Beethoven, and Shostakovich, Franz Welser-Möst is leading The Cleveland Orchestra as they delve into the works of Johann Sebastian Bach during two weeks in October. "Bach in Focus" encompasses two weekends of the Orchestra's regular schedule at Severance Hall, plus a series of free performances and education events, October 15-25, 2014.

Inspired by the spiritual and musical impact of Bach's work, Franz Welser-Möst and the Orchestra will explore the universal nature of this most famous composer and "father of music" - to engage the community through performance and discussion.

Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra chamber performance - October 15

On October 15, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra Advanced Performance Seminar students perform alongside musicians from The Cleveland Orchestra in a free public concert of instrumental chorales, sonatas, and suites by Bach at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Lee Road Library.

Cleveland Orchestra performs Bach's Mass in B minor - October 16 and 18

In concerts at Severance Hall on October 16 and 18, 2014, Franz Welser-Möst conducts Bach's Mass in B minor. The international cast of soloists features soprano Joélle Harvey, countertenor Iestyn Davies, bass Hanno Müller-Brachmann (all of whom are making their Cleveland Orchestra debut with these performances), and tenor Nicholas Phan. The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus perform with the Orchestra.

St. John the Evangelist Church concert - Friday evening, October 17

On Friday, October 17 at 8:00 p.m., The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus will give a free performance of Bach's Missa Brevis (Kyrie and Gloria from the Mass in B minor) at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, one of Cleveland's most historic venues in downtown Cleveland. This special community concert is being presented on the Cathedral's Helen D. Schubert Concert Series and supports an ongoing effort to reach new audiences. The concert is free and no tickets or reservations are required. For more information, visitsaintjohncathedral.com or call 216-771-6666.

"Make Music! Marathon" at Severance Hall - Saturday, October 18

Under the Orchestra's wide-ranging Make Music! initiative, a free and open to the public afternoon of music making will take place at Severance Hall on Saturday, October 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cleveland-area performing arts groups and educational institutions including Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra chamber ensembles, Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Institute of Music baroque orchestra and chamber ensemble, Burning River Baroque, and organists and chamber ensembles from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music will perform on the stages of Severance Hall for a Saturday afternoon featuring some of Bach's greatest works.

Schedule of performances for Make Music! Marathon

Saturday, October 18 at Severance Hall from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Concert Hall

2:00-2:45 p.m. - Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Institute of Music baroque orchestra and chamber ensemble

3:00-3:45 p.m. - Organists from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Reinberger Chamber Hall

4:00 - 4:40 p.m. - Burning River Baroque

4:45 - 5:15 p.m. - Oberlin Conservatory of Music chamber ensembles

5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra chamber ensembles

Cleveland Orchestra - Hilary Hahn performs Bach violin concertos

"Bach in Focus" closes with a weekend of Cleveland Orchestra concerts October 23-25 featuring guest conductor James Gaffigan, who leads violinist Hilary Hahn and the Orchestra in both violin concertos by Bach. This concert also traces Bach's musical legacy through the German tradition with Brahms's Schicksalslied and Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony.