The Second Decade!
Join us as we enter our second decade with these three fantastic programs:
British Rhapsody – November 5 & 6
The Family Bach – January 21
The Cantata: Stories in Sound – April 6 & 8
(To purchase individual tickets, click on concert title)
In celebration of our next decade, and honoring Bach and his extraordinary cantatas, MBE is for the first time commissioning a new work - a modern-day cantata!
This commission, based on contemporary text, is written by local Twin Cities’ composer and harpsichordist Asako Hirabayashi. (Click here to learn more about her!)
Just as the texts for Bach’s Cantatas were reflective of the times, MBE seeks to recreate the dynamic creative ethos of the18th century when Baroque music was indeed Modern Music. Connecting the Baroque cantata tradition with contemporary Twin Cities relevance, we are pleased to share this exciting program with you in April 2024.
Concerts will be live, in-person at Antonello Hall. The January concert will also be live-streamed on this page.
MBE Virtual Concert
Launched on February 6, 2021
With performances of works by J. S. Bach, J. Haydn, and G. P. Telemann
MBE Virtual Concert
Launched on June 26, 2021
PERSEVERANCE, a film essay featuring Jonathan Magness, Tami Morse playing the Handel Sonata in D-Major HWV 371
MBE Virtual Concert
Launched on May 15, 2021
With a performance of J. C. Bach’s Quintet in D-major, Op. 22 #1
BACk to Bach Project
While we are not able to perform live because of the ongoing pandemic, we want to connect with MBE’s loyal audience with handpicked movements from our impressive audio archives. We plan to release one section a week on Sunday morning, accompanied by a short description by artistic director Mischa Santora.
In light of the sad and troubling events of the past weeks, we hope that these selections will contribute to the healing process in our community. MBE staff, musicians, and volunteers emphatically support equality, compassion, and true change.
The Minnesota Bach Ensemble
is a chamber orchestra consisting of top-notch Twin Cities musicians, dedicated to performing the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. Through its unique mix of period performance practice on modern instruments in an intimate setting, the ensemble successfully re-captures the relevance of live music in the 18th century. Under the leadership of its artistic director and the support of a highly dedicated Board of Directors, the Minnesota Bach Ensemble has enjoyed enthusiastic audience response, steady growth, and sound fiscal management since its inception. MBE was founded in 2013 by conductor Andrew Altenbach and the musicians on the Artistic Committee, who work collaboratively on programming. Mischa Santora is the ensemble’s second artistic director, succeeding Mr. Altenbach in the fall of 2019. The Minnesota Bach Ensemble is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization, and all donations are fully tax-deductible.