BACH & FRIENDS Gets World Premiere At Symphony Space 5/16

World-class musicians, including Joshua Bell, Bobby McFerrin, Philip Glass, Béla Fleck and Hilary Hahn, among many others, reflect on the power and genius of Bach's music and perform his greatest masterpieces in the new documentary Bach & Friends (Michael Lawrence, 2010). The film receives its world premiere May 16 at Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. The May 16 premiere event also features live performances by Matt Haimovitz, Mike Hawley, Hilda Huang, Richard Stoltzman and others after the screening as well as a Q&A session with the director and several participants.

In addition to the premiere screening there will be pre-screening performances at subsequent showings on May 23 (with Simone Dinnerstein and Eugene Drucker of the Emerson String Quartet) and on May 30 (artists TBD). Stay after the documentary these two evenings to watch 90 minutes of unadulterated recorded performances from several of the stellar musicians featured in the film (see below for list of performances included in this special viewing).

The film, which looks at and celebrates Bach's astounding and diverse legacy in the modern era, is already receiving extensive critical acclaim. "Lawrence has achieved so much in his film. By vibrantly exploring and celebrating Bach's hold on today's musicians, Bach & Friends makes it clear why the composer will continue to exert just as strong a hold for generations to come," says Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun.

Bach & Friends
Sun, May 16 at 7:30 pm • Peter Jay Sharp Theatre
Sun, May 23 at 5:30 pm • Leonard Nimoy Thalia
Sun, May 30 at 5:30 pm • Leonard Nimoy Thalia
$16; Members $12; Seniors $14
Get two tickets per film (not per screening) for an entire year for just $100 with a Thalia Film Pass!

Today's finest musicians share their innermost thoughts and personal reflections on the most influential composer in history. Featuring interviews and performances by Joshua Bell (violinist), Bobby McFerrin (singer/conductor), Philip Glass (composer), Béla Fleck (banjoist), Hilary Hahn (violinist), Richard Stoltzman (clarinetist), Edgar Meyer (bassist/composer), Manuel Barrueco (guitarist), Matt Haimovitz (cellist), Simone Dinnerstein (pianist), Chris Thile (mandolinist), Emerson String Quartet, Zuill Bailey (cellist), Felix Hell (concert organist), Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers, Jake Shimabukuro (ukuleleist), Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach, composer), Dr. Charles J. Limb, MD, (MRI brain/music researcher), Dr. John Q. Walker (Zenph Studios), João Carlos Martins (pianist, composer), Sid Meier (game designer/CPU Bach), Tim Page (music critic), Christoph Wolff (author/Bach scholar), Uri Caine (composer, pianist), Andrew Talle (musicologist, Bach scholar), Harlan Brothers (mathematician, composer, Glenn Gould (pianist), Robert Tiso (glass harp), Mike Hawley (pianist), Dr. Anatoly Larkin (pianist, composer), Hilda Huang (pianist).On May 23 and 30, experience full, unadulterated performances on the 90 minute, post-screening bonus film by:

Felix Hell, concert organist; Fugue in D Major BWV 532
Bobby McFerrin, singer/conductor; Bach Improvisation
Matt Haimovitz, cellist; Prélude, Cello Suite No. 1 (BWV 1007)
Mike Hawley/pianist; Organ Fugue in G Major (BWV 577)
Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers; Badinerie, Orchestra Suite No. 2 (BWV 1067)
Manuel Barrueco, guitarist; Fugue from Sonata No.1 in G minor (BWV 1000)
John Bayless & Anatoly Larkin Improvisation on Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645)
Edgar Meyer, bassist/composer; Prelude, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor (BWV 1008)
Simone Dinnerstein, pianist; Variations 13, Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)
Chris Thile, mandolinist; Partita No. 2, Gigue in Dm (BWV 1004)
Richard Stoltzman, clarinetist; Chromatic Fantasy in D minor (BWV 903a)
Béla Fleck, banjoist; Presto, Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor (BWV 1001)
Emerson String Quartet; Art of Fugue, Contrapunctus No. 1, 9 (BWV 1080)
John Bayless, pianist, improviser; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire/Amazing Grace Improvisation (BWV 147)
Jake Shimabukuro, ukuleleist; Two-Part Invention No. 4 in Dm (BWV 786)
Zuill Bailey, cellist; Allemande, Suite for Solo Cello No. 6 (BWV 1012)
Hilda Huang, pianist; Fugue in D minor (BWV 948)
Joshua Bell, violinist; Chaconne, Partita No. 2 (BWV 1004)

BOX OFFICE
Tickets for performances are available:
• In person at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, Tuesday-Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Over the telephone at (212) 864-5400, Tuesday-Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Online at symphonyspace.org.