2012 Bach Festival: A Musical Offering

2012 Bach Festival
"The Musical Offering" J.S. Bach
The origin of Bach's masterpiece "The Musical Offering" lies in a visit to the court of Frederick the
Great of Prussia in the year 1747. Frederick challenged Bach to improvise a fugue based on a theme created by the monarch. This tune is now known as the "Royal Theme." Some time later, Bach sent Frederick the score of a vast collection of works based upon this theme. The Philadelphia Bach Collegium will present the entirety of this collection of works arranged for six players. Scores will be provided for the audience to follow along with the performance of some of Bach's most complex and bizarre music.