I'll be giving the keynote talk at the American Premiere of a newly-discovered aria by J. S. Bach.

The manuscript, in Bach's own handwriting, was discovered in June in a shoebox at the Anna Amalia Library, in Weimar, Germany. The box contained well-wishes and documents related to the October, 1713 birthday celebration of Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar.

The young Bach (he was 28 in 1713) was one of the Duke's court musicians from 1708 to 1717. Apparently Bach composed this little work for the birthday of his employer.

It is a strophic aria (12 verses) with instrumental ritornello, scored for solo soprano, strings and basso continuo. It is about six minutes long.

The opening words of the aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn" mean "Everything with God and nothing without him", the Duke's motto, and are quoted from a poem by the theologian Johann Anton Mylius.

This is the first time in more than 30 years that a unknown work by Bach has been discovered. I'm delighted to be part of the celebration surrounding it's U.S. premiere. The event was organized by Lynn Sampson, with cooperation from Bach scholar Christoph Wolff and Bärenreiter Editions in Germany.

Publication Date:
      The World Premiere will take place in Weimer on September 3.
      Bärenreiter Editions will release their printed edition of the work on Sept 5

American Premiere:
      8:00pm  Wednesday, September 7, 2005
      Mistlin Gallery, 1015 J Street, Modesto California (Website)
      Wine and refreshments. No admission charge.

          8:00pm Program:
            Intro from Lynn Sampson, organizer of the event.
            Musical info from the conductor
            Keynote: "Bach the Employee: the man behind the myth" by David Gordon
            Performance of "Alles mit Gott"

      The entire program will last one hour
      The gallery seats 100. If there is a big crowd, we'll do the whole performance again at 9pm

Media Coverage:

       Audio Feature on Capitol Public Radio, Sacramento Sept 7, 2005

Description of the Discovery in June, 2005

       NPR Story        Washington Post / Associated Press Stories