12 Jul SONATAS AND PARTITAS: A BIBLICAL STORY – MUSIC BY J.S. BACH
SONATAS AND PARTITAS: A BIBLICAL STORY – MUSIC BY J.S. BACH
SONATAS AND PARTITAS: A BIBLICAL STORY – MUSIC BY J.S. BACH
Mario Brunello headlines the 7th Varenna Festival with a musical and spiritual journey into the world of Bach
On Sunday, 19 July, at Villa Cipressi, one of the world’s leading cellists will open an inspiring dialogue between music and the spoken word together with Brother Lino Breda.
The Varenna Festival, promoted and funded by the Municipality of Varenna and organized by the Elysium Chorus Association of Milan, is preparing to welcome one of the most prestigious events of its seventh edition. On Sunday, 19 July, at 9:15 p.m., the enchanting setting of Villa Cipressi will host Mario Brunello, one of the most distinguished and internationally acclaimed cellists of our time, joined by Brother Lino Breda as narrator, in the performance “Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonatas and Partitas – A Biblical Story.”
Mario Brunello’s appearance represents a highlight not only for the festival but for the entire Lake Como region. The first European musician to win the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1986, Brunello is now regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of Bach’s music and one of the most original artistic voices on today’s classical music scene. He regularly performs in the world’s leading concert halls, collaborating with conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado, Antonio Pappano, Zubin Mehta, and Riccardo Chailly, as well as with many of the world’s finest orchestras.
In Varenna, audiences will have the opportunity to hear one of Brunello’s most significant artistic projects of recent years: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, performed on the violoncello piccolo, a Baroque instrument that Brunello has helped restore to international prominence through his acclaimed concert performances and award-winning recordings, now widely recognized as benchmarks for this repertoire.
The concert offers a profound spiritual journey in which Bach’s music enters into dialogue with biblical meditation. Brother Lino Breda, a monk and scholar of Sacred Scripture, will present the reflection “Adam, Where Are You? A Meditation on Fraternity,” creating a powerful interplay between spoken word and music that deepens the human and universal meaning of Bach’s masterpieces.
The musical programme features Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 (Adagio, Fugue, Siciliana, Presto) and the monumental Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, culminating in the celebrated Chaconne, one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of Western music.
The participation of an artist of Mario Brunello’s stature reaffirms the Varenna Festival’s commitment to presenting world-class performances that combine international artistic excellence with the extraordinary beauty of Varenna. This is a rare opportunity to experience one of today’s greatest Bach interpreters in an exceptional setting, where music, spirituality, and reflection come together in an unforgettable evening.
Programme:
Johann Sebastian Bach – Sonatas and Partitas: A Biblical Story
Mario Brunello – cello
Brother Lino Breda – narrator
Meditation
“Adam, Where Are You?” – A Meditation on Fraternity
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
- Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
Further information: https://varennaturismo.com/
