Saratoga Springs will welcome the Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center on Saturday, December 13 at 5 p.m, presented by SPAC. The ensemble will perform all six of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College.
This marks the first time CMS has presented the full cycle in Saratoga during its 12-year partnership with SPAC. Fans in Upstate New York get a rare chance to see a New York City institution live for the holiday season.
CMS’s performances of the Brandenburg Concertos have been called “joyous, effervescent, and yes, festive” by The New Yorker. 20 musicians will perform, bringing one of the Baroque era’s most celebrated works to life. The concert is part of SPAC’s Sounds of the Season holiday series, which aims to showcase music that resonates with both longtime classical fans and newcomers.
“There is no more radiant expression of collective artistry than the Brandenburg Concertos. To share this transcendent holiday tradition with our community—and to do so for the first time in its entirety with these extraordinary musicians—is both a gift and a celebration of all that we strive to bring to SPAC year-round,”
Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s CEO
Composed in the early 18th century, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos feature a mix of instruments, from flutes, violins, and harpsichord to horns, violas, and cellos. Each concerto has its own character, offering a different sound and style. Together, the six concertos highlight the energy, innovation, and joy of the Baroque period.
The performance takes place at the acoustically vibrant Arthur Zankel Music Center while SPAC’s Spa Little Theater undergoes renovations. You can visit SPAC or the CMS website for more info and tickets.
Whether you know the Brandenburgs by heart or have never heard them before, this concert promises a burst of energy for the holiday season. With the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center making a rare trip north, it is a chance for Saratoga audiences to hear a world-class performance without leaving upstate.
Find more news and events about classical music here.
Watch below a trailer to the a documentary following the work of CMS.
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