Bach is back – The Idaho Bach Festival is an opportunity to honor the work of a classic composer

For many, the thought of attending a classical music festival can be intimidating, but according to UI assistant professor Miranda Wilson, the Idaho Bach Festival is the perfect opportunity to get some stress-free culture.

This year”s festival will be the fifth annual festival put on by the Lionel Hampton School of Music.

Wilson, the co-director of the Idaho Bach Festival, said the festival has always brought together community members, university staff and UI students. Students will open the festival Thursday with a free concert at 12:30 p.m. in the Idaho Commons.

“It”s a great opportunity to eat your lunch and listen to some great music at the same time,” Wilson said.

Wilson said this year”s festival will feature one of the world”s top performers, Paul Max Tipton, who has performed at many Bach festivals around the country and has collaborated with some of music”s most prestigious names.

“He has achieved so much in his life already and we are incredibly fortunate to have him,” Wilson said.

Wilson said following a performance by students, the festival will continue in the Haddock Performance Hall    at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the Open Gala Concert, where Tipton will perform.

On Saturday there will be masterclasses taught by Tipton at 9 a.m.

The Closing Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The cost of attending these concerts is $3 for students and $5 for adults.

“Less than the cost of a latte,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the purpose of the Idaho Bach Festival is to honor the incredible work of Johann Sebastian Bach.

“What could be greater than a three-day festival dedicated to the work of the greatest composer who ever lived?” Wilson said.

Wilson said Bach”s influence on music is apparent in many genres and anyone can relate to his work in one way or another.

“Bach was one of the rock stars of his time, he was one of the great improvisers, he was the one that made the rules,” Wilson said.    “Modern music theory is based off of what Bach did naturally, that”s how great he was.”

In addition to creating compositions that were ahead of the curve, Wilson said Bach”s work has tremendous emotional appeal.

“The direct emotional appeal is something that everyone can enjoy, even if they”ve never been to a classical concert,” Wilson said.

A person who is attending a classical concert for the first time might be worried about what to wear or when to clap, but Wilson said all students should attend without worry. “Come in your jeans, come in your pajamas if you have to “¦ And you can clap whenever you want,” she said.

Austin Maas  can be reached at  [email protected]

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