Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Los Angeles Bach Festival

Name:

Los Angeles Bach Festival

Location:

Los Angeles / Pasadena, California, USA

Venues:

First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, Wilshire Center, 540 South Commonwealth Avenue , Los Angeles, CA. 90020 (until 2013)
All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 (from 2014)

Years:

Since 1934 (Annual Festival)

Months:

October (3^rd Week)

Artistic Director:

John Smallman (1936-1937)
Alexander Ruggieri
Dr. Jonathan Talberg (2008-2013)
James Walker (2014-Present)

Ensembles:

Los Angeles Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra

Website:

Los Angeles Bach Festival
Los Angeles Bach Festival on LinkedIn
All Saints Church, Pasadena
Los Angeles Bach Festival on Facebook

History:

The Los Angeles Bach Festival has its beginnings in 1936 under the direction of John Smallman, Music Director from 1921 until his untimely death on December 19, 1937. Dr. Smallman died doing what he loved best, conducting the Cathedral choir in a performance of The Messiah. This festival has been held at First Church ever since. It is interesting to note that the Cathedral choir continues to wear the uniform he chose for is choristers, the simple white surplice over a red robe. Those who have attended the festival concerts over the years may have noticed two lamp posts with surround seats out in the forecourt. These are the Smallman memorial lamps, dedicated in his memory by his choir.
The Jr. Bach Festival fosters an early interest in classical music for young people, giving them a platform to gain experience in auditioning in a prestigious venue, with the opportunity to a solo or ensemble performance to the winners. This particular series has long been a part of the music tradition of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, who's own musical history dates back to the late 1800's, when a Women's Orchestra was founded under the direction of a gentleman by the name of Harley Hamilton.
The Los Angeles Bach Festival is Los Angeles' oldest cultural festival and the oldest Bach Festival in the West.
In 2014 the Festival moved to All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, with James Walker as Artistic Director.

The Festival traditionally runs the third week of October. Program includes an Organ Concert by an artist of world renown, a Finale Concert featuring the Los Angeles Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra performing a masterwork of J.S. Bach, a Young Persons Concert for students grades 5-12, and in prior years, the Junior Bach Competition.

Mission:

The Mission of the Los Angeles Bach Festival is to bring to life the works of J.S. Bach, his contemporaries, and Bach-inspired works by encouraging an appreciation of the aesthetic and spiritual value of J.S. Bach’s music through education, the promotion of young and emerging artists, and the presentation of performances at the highest standards of musical excellence for Southern California.

Recent Festivals:

74^th Festival: Oct 21-28, 2007
75^th Festival: Oct 19-Nov 2, 2008
76^th Festival: Oct 17-25, 2009
77^th Festival: Oct 17-24, 2010
78^th Festival: Oct 16-23, 2011
79^th Festival: Oct 14-21, 2012
80^th Festival: Oct 13-20, 2013

81^st Festival: Oct 19-26, 2014

Logo: