Early Music  

 

 

The Bach Hour

Truth in Bach


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Pianist and blogger Jeremy Denk performs the Partita No. 3, and Konrad Junghänel conducts the Missa Brevis in G minor.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Tackling the Enigmatic Fourth Cello Suite


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey talks about and performs the Cello Suite No. 4, and Il Gardelino performs the Cantata No. 32 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
WGBH HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Love is Better than Wine, with the Tallis Scholars


HEAR THE PROGRAM
MORE HOLIDAY SPECIALS AND 24/7 HOLIDAY CHANNEL
The legendary British vocal ensemble sings a program of British and French music from the Renaissance, in concert at St. Paul Church in Cambridge, Mass.

On-demand at Classical New England
Classical New England

Baroque in Boston


READ MORE
Host Laura Carlo brings you a rich mix of early music from Boston and beyond, every Sunday morning.

Sundays at 7am on Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Ramin Bahrami and the Power of Bach


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The Iranian-born pianist performs a concerto with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and Bach Collegium Japan performs the Cantata No. 69a, Lobe den Herrn, meine, Seele (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

A Prayer to Angels


HEAR THE PROGRAM
John Eliot Gardiner conducts Bach's Cantata No. 19 (translation), a piece written for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels.

On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Music with James David Jacobs

Handel's Saul, with The Sixteen


READ MORE
For the Jewish New Year, hear a new recording of Handel's Saul, a work that marked a creative re-birth for the composer, with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen.

Tonight at 10pm on Classical New England
The Bach Hour

The Brilliance of Cantata 51


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Soprano Malin Hartelius and trumpeter Niklas Eklund perform Bach's Jauchzet Gott (translation) in concert at Unser Lieben Frauen Church in Bremen, Germany.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Collegium Vocale in Concert from Lausanne


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Philippe Herreweghe leads the group he founded in the Cantata No. 78 (translation), in concert at the Lausanne Bach Festival in Switzerland.

On-demand at Classical New England
Boston Symphony Orchestra

All-Bach with Zukerman


HEAR AND WATCH MORE FROM OUR TANGLEWOOD WEEKEND
Pinchas Zukerman is both soloist and conductor, with additional soloists from BSO Principals, in a program of concertos by J.S. Bach.

Tonight at 8pm on Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Bach in the Berkshires


HEAR THE PROGRAM
MORE FROM TANGLEWOOD
John Oliver leads the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in the motet Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (translation) in a celebration of Bach's music at Tanglewood.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

A Concerto for Bach's Friday Nights


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Thomas Hengelbrock leads a concerto for three violins, and Masaaki Suzuki conducts the Cantata No. 178 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Avi Avital's Bach


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The mandolin virtuoso brings a unique perspective to Bach's music, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts two motets.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

A Picture of Heaven


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Countertenor Andreas Scholl sings Bach's depiction of heaven in the Cantata No. 170 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
CLASSICAL NEW ENGLAND

A Chorale Packed with Potential


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Bach builds an astonishing expression of doubt and hope on a simple chorale in the Cantata No. 93 (translation), and Annie Akiko Meyers is the soloist in the Violin Concerto No. 1.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Ton Koopman and Bach's Journey


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The Dutch conductor leads Amsterdam Baroque in Bach's Cantata No. 177, Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
DOWNLOADS

Classical New England Podcasts


SEE MORE INFO & SUBSCRIBE
Classical New England connects you to the sounds and voices of classical music with downloadable podcasts.
The Bach Hour

John Eliot Gardiner Conducts J.S. Bach's La mer


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The symbolism of water infuses Bach's Cantata No. 7 (translation), conducted by John Eliot Gardiner, and harpist Catrin Finch plays the Italian Concerto.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

A New Beginning for Bach, with Emmanuel Music


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Craig Smith conducts the Cantata No. 75 (translation), the first work Bach wrote for his adopted hometown.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

The Ascension Oratorio


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Matthew Halls leads the Retrospect Ensemble in Bach's Ascension Oratorio (translation), and Peter Sykes and Mahan Esfahani perform a harpsichord concerto.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Trevor Pinnock in Boston


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Trevor Pinnock leads the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra in concert, and Ton Koopman conducts the Cantata No. 86 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Brazilian Flair in a French Suite


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The Brasil Guitar Duo performs in concert at the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 166 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Concerts

Mozart and the Levins


HEAR THE CONCERT ON-DEMAND
Martin Pearlman directs a concert featuring the husband-and-wife team of Robert Levin and Ya-fei Chuang in an All-Mozart program.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

The Play of Opposites: Suzuki's Cantata No. 103


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Masaaki Suzuki conducts Bach's Cantata No. 103 (translation), and the English Baroque Soloists perform the Triple Concerto.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Alina Ibragimova's Partita No. 2


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The British-based violinist traverses one of Bach's most emotionally powerful works, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 85 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
CNE Journal

Patriots and Heroes


HEAR THE CONCERT PREVIEW, LEARN MORE, AND SEE VIDEO
Boston Camerata Artistic Director Anne Azéma explores early American music in a preview of the ensemble's Patriots Day concert.
The Bach Hour

David Fray's French Suite


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The French pianist performs a piece with a personal connection for Bach, and Christophe Coin directs the Cantata No. 6 (translation).
The Bach Hour

A Burst of Colors in the Easter Oratorio


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Matthew Halls leads the Retrospect Ensemble in Bach's vibrant, riveting Easter Oratorio (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Concerts

Bach's St. Matthew Passion, in Concert from Symphony Hall


HEAR THE CONCERT ON-DEMAND, DOWNLOAD PROGRAM NOTES, AND SEE SLIDESHOW
Harry Christophers conducts the pinnacle of J.S. Bach's music at Boston's Symphony Hall.

Friday at 7pm on Classical New England
Boston Symphony Orchestra

Leonidas Kavakos Plays and Conducts Bach


HEAR THE CONCERT ON-DEMAND AND SEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE
The Greek violinist plays a dual role for Bach's D minor concerto and conducts music by Lutoslawski and Beethoven.

On-demand at Classical New England
CNE Journal

The Passion, Ancient and Modern


By Brian McCreath
The Handel and Haydn Society and Boston Modern Orchestra Project explore the story of the Passion through both the greatest of composers and the music of our time.
The Bach Hour

Harry Christophers on the St. Matthew Passion


HEAR PART ONE
HEAR PART TWO
The Artistic Director of Boston's Handel and Haydn Society talks with host Brian McCreath about the pinnacle of Bach's sacred music (translation).
The Bach Hour

Lara St. John and Marie-Pierre Langlamet


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The violinist and harpist bring new colors to Bach's Violin Sonata No. 1, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 150 (translation)
On-demand at Classical New England
Drive Time Live

Pianists Ya-Fei Chuang and Robert Levin


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The wife and husband team talk with host Cathy Fuller about Mozart's music and their performances with Boston Baroque.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in Bach's Double


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Meyers uses two Stradavarius violins in one of Bach's instrumental masterpieces, and Thomas Gropper conducts the Cantata No. 131 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Simone Dinnerstein's "Something Almost Being Said"


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The pianist talks about her new recording with host Brian McCreath, and Vocalconsort Berlin performs Jesu, meine Freude (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Albrecht Mayer Creates a New Bach Concerto


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The Principal Oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic finds solo music in a Bach cantata, and Philippe Herreweghe directs the Cantata No. 127 (translation).

On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Concerts

The Game of Love


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Boston Camerata performs medieval music of courtly love in concert.
On-demand at Classical New England
Drive Time Live

Richard Egarr Performs Couperin


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The British harpsichordist visits Classical New England with music by Henry Purcell and Louis Couperin, previewing a concert presented by Boston Early Music Festival.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

A Modern Transcription for an Ancient Instrument


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Recorder soloist Erik Bosgraaf performs a concerto by Bach, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 144 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Andreas Scholl Sings Ich habe genug


HEAR THE INTERVIEW AND PROGRAM
The German countertenor talks with host Brian McCreath about music, life, and Bach, and sings Ich habe genug (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Salonen Conducts Schoenberg's Vision


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Esa-Pekka Salonen and the L.A. Philharmonic paint a vibrant Bach Prelude and Fugue, and Masaaki Suzuki conducts the Cantata No. 73 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
CNE Journal

Remembering Gustav Leonhardt


By James David Jacobs
How an unexpected encounter opened up the very human side of a music legend.
The Bach Hour

Perahia Plays Bach


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Murray Perahia is soloist and director for the Keyboard Concerto No. 3, and Ton Koopman directs the Cantata No. 155 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
New England Summer Festivals

Early Music in the Berkshires


LEARN MORE & HEAR THE PROGRAM
Classical New England takes you to the Aston Magna Music Festival.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

An Epiphany Cantata At St. Nicholas, Leipzig


John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 123 (translation) at a church with a remarkable history.
On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Concerts

New Year's Day with Boston Baroque, from Sanders Theatre


HEAR THE CONCERT
Join Martin Pearlman, Boston Baroque, and Classical New England to ring in 2012, live from Sanders Theatre in Cambridge.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

An Explosion of Joy for Christmas


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Philippe Herreweghe conducts Bach's Christmas Cantata No. 63 (translation), and Angela Hewitt performs the English Suite No. 4.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Bach's Music for the Season, on a Legendary Organ


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Hear one of Bach's favorite pipe organs in variations on an Advent hymn, and the Cantata No. 132 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
CNE Journal

Messiah In Our Time


LISTEN AND READ MORE
By Brian McCreath
How did a two-and-a-half century-old piece of music written for Lent become an iconic Christmas tradition of our time?
Drive Time Live

Boston Camerata's The Sacred Bridge


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Anne Azéma and Boston Camerata explore the intersection of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim music in medieval Europe.
On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Bach on Guitar


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Stephan Schmidt performs the Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro, and Christophe Coin directs the Cantata No. 115 (translation).
On-demand at Classical New England
Classical Concerts

Gardiner Conducts Beethoven at Carnegie Hall


SEE AND HEAR A CONCERT PREVIEW
By Brian Wise
John Eliot Gardiner and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique perform Egmont Overture and the Fifth and Seventh Symphonies in concert at Carnegie Hall.
Thursday at 7pm on Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Bach's Tapestry of Sound


HEAR THE PROGRAM
J.S. Bach's Cantata No. 109 uses the interlacing of sound to create a picture of belief in a performance conducted by John Eliot Gardiner.
On-demand at Classical New England
Drive Time Live

Apollo's Fire


SEE PROGRAM AND VIDEO PREVIEW
The Cleveland-based early music ensemble visits our Fraser Performance Studio for a preview of their Nov. 5 concert, presented by Boston Early Music Festival.
Today at 7pm on Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Koopman Conducts a Reformation Cantata


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Ton Koopman and Amsterdam Baroque perform Bach's Cantata No. 79 (translation), and the American Bach Soloists perform the Brandenburg Concerto No. 1.
On-Demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

One Work, Two Worlds: The Cantata No. 169 and Harpsichord Concerto in E


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Bernarda Fink sings the Cantata No. 169 (translation), and Christophe Rousset performs the cantata's sister concerto for harpsichord.
Arias and Barcarolles

Carolyn Sampson In Concert


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The British soprano performs Purcell and Lawes at the Boston Early Music Festival.
The Bach Hour

Mark Padmore Sings Bach


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The British tenor navigates the dramatic emotional terrain of Bach's music in the Cantata No. 114 (translation) with conductor John Eliot Gardiner.
The Bach Hour

Helen Callus's Bach on Viola


HEAR THE PROGRAM
The British violist performs the Cello Suite No. 1, and Philippe Herreweghe conducts the Cantata No. 161 (translation).
The Bach Hour

Harnoncourt and the Ebulliant Cantata 29


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Nikolaus Harnoncourt leads Concentus Musicus in Bach's celebratory Cantata No. 29 (translation), in concert at the Musikverein.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

Jeremy Denk Plays Bach


LISTEN
The American pianist performs Bach's Partita No. 4, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the effervescent Cantata No. 17 (translation).

Classical Music with Brian McCreath

Harry Christophers on Handel and Haydn's New Season


HEAR THE INTERVIEW
The Artistic Director of Boston's Handel and Haydn Society talks with Brian McCreath about this weekend's season opening concerts with Kristian Bezuidenhout and more.
The Bach Hour

Ryan Turner On Cantata No. 12


LISTEN
The Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music joins Brian McCreath for one of Bach's most gripping works, the Cantata No. 12 (translation), and a preview of the upcoming season.
The Bach Hour

Pain and Transcendence in Morimur


LISTEN
Violinist Christoph Poppen and the Hilliard Ensemble combine for a performance that's both searing and consoling.
World of Opera

Boston Baroque's Les Indes Galantes


HEAR THE PERFORMANCE AND SEE PROGRAM NOTES AND SLIDESHOW
Hear Rameau's extravagent opera performed in concert with music director Martin Pearlman.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

The Mystery And Intimacy Of The Lute


LISTEN
Rolf Lislevand performs a suite for lute, and Masaaki Suzuki conducts the fearsome Cantata No. 46 (translation).
Opera

Opera Bash 2011!


SCHEDULE AND VIDEO PREVIEWS
Join us on 99.5 All Classical and WGBH 2 and 44 for a weekend filled with drama, passion, and, most importantly, incredible voices.
Friday, Sept. 2-Sunday, Sept. 5
The Bach Hour

From Fear To Confidence In The Cantata 105


HEAR THE PROGRAM
Amsterdam Baroque and conductor Ton Koopman perform the Cantata No. 105 (translation), and Alison Balsom plays a concerto for trumpet.

On-demand at Classical New England
The Bach Hour

The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II


LISTEN
Richard Egarr performs Preludes and Fugues from Book II of the Well-Tempered Clavier, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 45 (translation).

The Bach Hour

Suzuki's Brandenburg, In Concert


LISTEN
Masaaki Suzuki and Bach Collegium Japan perform the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in concert, and the Cantata No. 186 (translation).
The Bach Hour

The Joy Of Devotion


LISTEN
John Eliot Gardiner conducts Bach's Cantata No. 9 (translation), and Masaaki Suzuki leads the Orchestral Suite No. 2 in concert.

New England Summer Festivals

Hands-On Early Music With Amherst Early Music Festival


HEAR THE PROGRAM AND SEE PHOTOS
Based at Connecticut College, Amherst Early Music opens the stage to all who come to learn and play.
The Bach Hour

Grace And Bouyancy From A Solo Cello


LISTEN
Jean-Guihen Queyras performs the Cello Suite No. 6, and John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Cantata No. 135 (translation).
New England Summer Festivals

Gambas, Sackbuts, And More: Early Music In The City


LEARN MORE AND LISTEN
From the heart of the American Revolution, a revolution in music from the Renaissance and Baroque.

The hits and the highlights from WGBH

Stay in the know about upcoming shows, special events, discounts, and more!
See a sample »