Bach is the centerpiece of a multi-week musical spread in Eugene, Oregon offering lectures, mini concerts and magnificent choral-orchestral performances by the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and acclaimed guest artists from around the world.
History:
The Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) was founded in 1970 by German organist and conductor Helmuth Rilling and the former president of the American Choral Directors Association and former Associate Dean of the University of Oregon School of Music, Royce Salzman, to celebrate the musical legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach.
The Wall Street Journal has named OBF as "one of the world's leading musical festivals," and over the years renowned performers such as Garrison Keillor, Bobby McFerrin, Frederica von Stade and Yo-Yo Ma have shared their own artistic magic with the festival. In 2000, "Penderecki: Credo" from the Oregon Bach Festival was recognized with a Grammy for Best Choral Performance.
The festival brings together over 400 musicians and singers, including the Youth Choral Academy and the Berwick Academy, for over 50 musical events. This classical music masterpiece draws an international audience of 15,000 music lovers annually.
Aligned with the University of Oregon's School of Music & Dance at Beall Hall and the Eugene's esteemed Hult Center for the Performing Arts; the festival has continued to grow, and now has its own dedicated building and performance hall. Berwick Hall opened in 2017, establishing a "musical corridor" along 18th Street in close proximity to Beall Hall and the Central Lutheran Church where organ concerts are held.
Tips for Attending:
- Festival packages are available or you can choose a la carte concerts from $20 to $65. A dozen community events are also free to the public.
- Lodging located close to performance venues include the Hotel Eugene, Inn at the 5th, The Timbers Lodge, and campus-area B&Bs. You can fly direct to Eugene Airport from half a dozen west coast cities.
- Like the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, the Oregon Bach Festival's popular appeal may lead to sell-out events, so planning early is always recommended.
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