Poster Johann Sebastian Bach and family
'Sebastian Bach and his Family at their Morning Devotions' (Toby Rosenthal, 1870.)
Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

J.B. Bach

Over the span of two centuries, the Bach family produced more than 50 musicians and composers. On this weekend's Performance Today, we have music by Bach -- but not the guy who immediately comes to mind when you hear that name. We'll travel to Denmark to hear an overture by Johann Bernhard Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach's lesser-known second cousin.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata No. 3 in C major BWV 1005: 4. Allegro Assai
Hilary Hahn, violin
Hilary Hahn Plays Bach
Sony Classical 62793

Poul Bjerager (arr. Danish String Quartet): Easter Sunday/ Rasmus Strom: Polsk
Danish String Quartet
Wood Works
Dacapo 226081

Traditional (arr. Nikolaj Busk): Sonderho Bridal Trilogy: Part III
Danish String Quartet
Wood Works
Dacapo 226081

The Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Andrew Smith from El Paso, TX

Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Hilary Hahn, violin; London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Colin Davis, conductor
Elgar: Violin Concerto
Deutsche Grammophon 3026

Hour 2

Joseph Haydn: Quartet No. 27 in D Major, Op. 20: 4. Presto
Mendelssohn String Quartet
MPR 203

Pierre Attaingnant: Six Dances
VIDA Guitar Quartet: Chris Stell, Mark Eden, Amanda Cook, Mark Ashford, guitars
Spivey Hall, Morrow, GA

Johann Bernhard Bach: Overture in G minor, for violin, strings and basso continuo
Fredrik From, violin; Concerto Copenhagen; Lars Ulrik Mortensen, conductor
Garrison Church, Copenhagen, Denmark

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 95 in c minor, Hob.I:95
New York Philharmonic; Xian Zhang, conductor
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York, NY

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About Performance Today®

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American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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