Bach Violin Concertos by Candlelight at St Giles, Edinburgh
Edinburgh, St. Giles' Cathedral — Main
About the Event
Step into the timeless beauty of St Giles’ Cathedral, an architectural jewel in the heart of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile — the perfect candlelit setting for an unforgettable evening of Baroque brilliance.
This enchanting programme celebrates the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, with a hand‐picked selection of his most beloved orchestral and concerto works. From the uplifting grace of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 to the soulful Air on the G String, and the vibrant energy of his Violin Concertos in A major and E major, the evening offers a captivating journey through the elegance, complexity, and enduring beauty of Bach’s music. The concert also features Handel’s jubilant Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, a sparkling overture that perfectly sets the tone for a night of refinement and virtuosity.
Performed by the celebrated Piccadilly Sinfonietta, joined by leading violinist Ben Norris, this acclaimed ensemble—under the artistic direction of pianist Warren Mailley‐Smith—brings together some of the UK’s finest musicians in interpretations known for their passion and precision. With over 200 performances annually, they have become a shining presence on the British classical music scene.
“Stunning” – Classic FM
This candlelit concert is designed to fit perfectly with your evening plans, with a wealth of restaurants and bars nearby to complete your night in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.
Practical Information
Seats in Band AA are located in the first rows.
Program
- Georg Friedrich Handel – Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Violin Concerto in A major
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Air on the G String
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No 3
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Violin Concerto in E Major
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Double Violin Concerto in d minor
Artists
| Orchestra: | Piccadilly Sinfonietta |
|---|---|
| Violin: | Ben Norris |
Johann Sebastian Bach
The name Bach and the word musician had long been synonyms in Germany as the world saw 56 musicians from this kin. But it was Johann Sebastian Bach, a genius composer and virtuoso organ player, who shed lustre on his family name. He was born on th 31st of March 1685 in Eisenach, a small town in Thuringia. At the age of 10 he became an orphan and was brought up by his elder brother Johann Christoph, who was an organist in a neighbouring town. His brother was the one to teach music to the young Johann Sebastian. Later he moved to Luneburg where he attended a church school and mastered the techniques of playing violin, viola, piano and organ by the age of 17. Besides that, Bach was a choir singer and later after his voice broke he became a chanter’s assistant. In 1703 Bach was hired as a court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst III. He earned such a good reputation there that he was later invited to Arnstadt to be an organist at the New Church, where he wrote his best organ works. In 1723 he moved to Leipzig to be a chantor at St. Thomas Church where he stayed until his death of a stroke in 1750. In the year of his death he had undergone unsuccessful eye surgery which lead him to lose his eyesight. During that strenuous time his second wife Anna Magdalena helped him to write his last musical pieces. Bach’s artistic legacy is vast. He created compositions in all genres of the time: oratorias, cantatas, masses, motets, music for organ, piano and violin.
Address
St. Giles' Cathedral, High Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom — Google Maps
