A spotlight comes on; a single performer is illuminated, lifts the bow, and begins to play. What do you do?
Not normally a question you ask yourself at a classical music concert, beyond trying not to cough. But, turning traditional ideas of performance space and audience upside-down, this performance installation gives the viewer the power to choose how they interact with musicians without the protective armour of stage, seating and a twenty minute interval.
Inspired by a desire to take away the ritual of the classical recital and see what happens, the Bachathon is an experiment.Four outstanding musicians play some of J.S. Bach’s most beautiful solo music, whilst audience members decide where to sit, how to listen, and when to leave - while the performers play on.
Set against a strange but simple landscape of chairs, chaises-longues and stools, where the Baroque meets Ionesco, the effect is captivating: audiences form natural waves of movement between movements in the music; the law of the jungle is enacted at its most controlled as people pounce on the best armchair; they lie, kiss, play, sleep and above all listen in a hundred different ways, becoming part of the performance. The piece is durational and lasts approximately five hours with no breaks.
First performed over five hours to 800 audience members at Opera North, October 2010.
Violin
Chaconne in D Minor from Partita 2
Cello
Suites 1, 2, 3 & 5
Harpsichord
Partita No 6 in E minor
Prelude in C major
Italian Concerto in F major
Prelude in C major
Partita No 1 in Bb major
Guitar
Lute Suite no.4 BWV1006 & Prelude, Fugue & Allegro BWV998
Craig Ogden – Guitar. Craig has released seven recordings on the Chandos label. His recording of all three solo Rodrigo guitar concertos with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra was greeted with wide acclaim. He made his Royal Albert Hall debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra performing Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in a Classic FM Live concert.
Matthew Sharp – Cello. Matthew has appeared with the RPO, LPO, European Camerata and Orchestra of the Swan. Matthew combines these ‘classical’ activities with a pioneering outlook across disciplines. He has launched the Bath and Brighton Festivals and given solo performances at Glastonbury and Latitude. He is the new Artistic Director of the Deal Festival for Music and the Arts.
Annette Saunders - Harpsichord. Annette studied at the RAM and RCM winning several awards for solo recitals and opera. She regularly performs with chamber ensembles and singers in the UK and internationally, including live broadcasts for Classic FM and Radio 3.
Andrew Long – Violin. Andrew was Assistant Leader of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 2003 – 2008. In April 2009 he was appointed Sub-Leader to the Orchestra of Opera North. As a soloist, he has given over 300 recitals, including some as far afield as Norway and Czechoslovakia..
Devised by Jo Nockels and Tim Skelly
Lighting Design by Tim Skelly
Performed by Craig Ogden, Matthew Sharp, Annette Saunders and Andrew Long
The installation can be installed on the day of performance. The installation can be adapted for a range of spaces not necessarily theatres or concert halls, but best suits an enclosed space, ideally (but not necessarily) with the potential to black out) If your venue does not have a fixed lighting rig, alternative lighting options can be explored as necessary
A project manager will travel with the installation to ensure smooth running.
Duration of the performance can vary, but it is durational and there are no breaks.
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