When John V. Sinclair, artistic director and conductor of Bach Festival Society of Winter Park thinks about classical music, he said he does not just see it as sounds of the past and the pathway to the songs we hear and love today.
He often references this excerpt from ‘Listen to This’ a book by Alex Ross when contemplating what this genre means to him:
“I hate “classical music”: not the thing but the name. It traps a tenaciously living art in a theme park of the past. It cancels out the possibility that music in the spirit of Beethoven could still be created today. It banishes into limbo the work of thousands of active composers who have to explain to otherwise well-informed people what it is they do for a living. The phrase is a masterpiece of negative publicity, a tour de force of anti-hype. I wish there were another name. I envy jazz people who speak simply of “the music.” Some jazz aficionados also call their art “America’s classical music,” and I propose a trade: they can have “classical,” I’ll take “the music.”
Sinclair said he found this mentality to be useful when planning the 90th Annual Festival with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park which runs from February 13 to March 2.
He is the longest-standing conductor over the past 90 years of the festival and said he has enjoyed being a part of the evolution of this musical celebration.
“This is my 35th and it’s been fun to see it grow. Any time you get to make music for a living, you’re a lucky person. The older I become and the longer I live, the more I recognize what a privilege that is, Sinclair said. “To take it a step further, what a privilege it is to make such variety of music and to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and so I stand on the shoulders of the people who came before me.”
He said for this festival he wanted to create of fusion of musical styles performing monumental pieces from centuries ago alongside hits from recent years.
“I’m giving homage to our history, and I’m also showing that we are not an organization that’s only stuck in the past, that we are progressive,” Sinclair said. “I would always like to say that the only thing reserved about us is our seats.”
The pre-festival programming commences on February 7 with free recital performances from world-class organist Paul Jacobs. Sinclair said Bach is believed to be one of the best organists of his time, so it only felt right to bring in the best organist of our time: Jacobs to kick off the festivities.
When planning the repertoire, Sinclair said he always tries to include the three B’s: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms– three big pillars of Western music. Among them, Sinclair said Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony will also be performed as he credits Mendelssohn with saving Bach’s work from near oblivion after he passed away.
Alongside featuring historically influential works, audiences will be able to hear pieces from Grammy winners like Dashon Burton and The King’s Singers, iconic songs from The Beatles and The Birds, and soulful sounds of big band jazz.
“You have pieces you want to hear when you’re happy. You have pieces you want to hear when you’re sad, pieces that motivate you, pieces that help calm you. Music has all that power, and this festival has all that in it,” Sinclair said.
While celebrating 90 years of festival performances, festivities will also include the First Annual National Oratorio Competition for American Singers Finalist Concert. This competition offers young performers a platform to showcase their skills in front of world-class judges, with the chance to win a guest artist spot in next year’s festival and a cash prize.
Creating competitions like these and offering educational programs, Sinclair said he hopes the next generation of music will bring the same passion and respect for the craft in the next 90 years.
“My hope is that the people who stand on my shoulders next are better off for the work that I’ve done,” Sinclair said. “And I hope that I have inspired people to continue this great tradition, who could hope for anything more than that. I recognize, I am just one of the layers or cogs in the wheel that hopefully will keep this organization, vibrant for many, many years.”
A few of the Festival’s highlights include:
- Big Band Spirituals – Feb. 13, 7:30–9 p.m.
A thrilling fusion of African American spirituals and the vibrant energy of big band jazz, delivering a soulful and unforgettable musical experience. - Handel – La Resurrezione, HWV 47 – Feb. 15, 7:30–9 p.m.
Handel’s first oratorio brings the story of resurrection to life with his signature expressive melodies and masterful storytelling. - The King’s Singers – Feb. 16, 3–4:30 p.m.
For over 50 years, this legendary acappella ensemble has captivated audiences worldwide, blending rich tradition with bold innovation. - Dashon Burton – Brick by Brick: Changing America by Song – Feb. 18, 7:30–9 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton presents a powerful program of resilience and hope, weaving together spirituals, protest songs, and works by composers like Copland and Bernstein. - First Annual National Oratorio Competition for American Singers – Finalist Concert – Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.
A prestigious competition designed to support emerging talent, offering young vocalists the rare opportunity to perform alongside an orchestra and chorus as they compete before world-class judges. - J.S. Bach – Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 with Bach Vocal Artists – Feb. 21, 7:30–10 p.m.
A monumental testament to Bach’s genius, this masterwork showcases his unparalleled artistry and enduring legacy. - Beethoven – Mass in C, Op. 86 | Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 3 (“Scottish”) – Feb. 23, 3–4:30 p.m.
Beethoven’s profoundly spiritual Mass in C pairs beautifully with Mendelssohn’s evocative Scottish Symphony, offering a compelling journey through emotion and artistry. - A Musical Travelogue – Works by Gershwin, Brahms, von Suppé, Strauss, and more – Feb. 28, 7:30–9 p.m.
An enchanting voyage through music inspired by iconic landscapes and cultures—from the Moldau and the Danube to Fingal’s Cave and Paris. - Brahms – German Requiem, Op. 45 | Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 – March 1, 7:30–9 p.m. & March 2, 3–4:30 p.m.
Brahms’ deeply moving German Requiem, a meditation on comfort and renewal, meets Tchaikovsky’s dazzling Piano Concerto No. 1, a masterpiece of sweeping emotion and virtuosic brilliance.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.