There have been diverse musical gifts given throughout the history of music; however, the present that Johann Sebastian Bach gave to Frederick the Great towards the end of his life had an unusually bitter edge.

The monarch invited Bach to his palace, introduced him to his retinue, then proceeded to mock the elderly Bach in front of this distinguished company.

Upon returning home Bach composed one of his most intriguing works: the Musikalisches Opfer (‘Musical Offering’). This piece reads and sounds like a test of unprecedented craftsmanship, but also as an ironic commentary on the incident. Calefax makes itself a present of a sixth reed player for this performance, while Martijn Padding’s gift for Calefax is a brand new work for reed quintet.

Programme a.o.

Programme includes:
Johann Sebastian Bach Musikalisches Opfer
Martijn Padding They are home again!
Gabriel Fauré Dolly suite
Henry Purcell In Nomine
William Byrd Fantasia a 6
Ron Ford Voor Alban