The solo works of Johann Sebastian Bach are beautiful and audacious, striking and sensual. The same can be said for the remarkable creations of Zaha Hadid, one of the most artistic and forward-thinking architects of her generation. In response to Bach’s music, Zaha Hadid Architects has created an extraordinary new chamber music hall, which has been installed within Manchester Art Gallery and is accessible until 1 September.
Across a series of nine concerts, three internationally acclaimed musicians performed Bach’s solo instrumental works in this unique, intimate space. The aim: to create a near-perfect environment for the audience to experience some of the world’s most beautiful chamber music. A union of two true originals, three centuries apart.
Zaha Hadid Architects Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher – watch them talk about their project
Programme
Piotr Anderszewski – Piano
Partita No. 2 in C minor
Partita No. 6 in E minor
Interval
English Suite No. 6 in D minor
Jean-Guihen Queyras – Cello
Cello Suite No. 1 in G major
Cello Suite No. 4 in E-flat major
Interval
Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor
Cello Suite No. 3 in C major
Alina Ibragimova – Violin
Sonata No.2 in A minor
Partita No.2 in D minor
Interval
Sonata No.3 in C major
Partita No.3 in E major
Free lunchtime concerts
Students from Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and Chetham’s School of Music performed at 1.00pm every day throughout the Festival.
Sat 4 Jackie Campbell (piano) – Chetham’s French Suite No 5 in G major
Sun 5 Yuanfan Yang (piano) – Chetham’s Partita No 1 in B flat major
Mon 6 GALLERY CLOSED
Tue 7 Yaiza Mata (flute) – Chetham’s Partita in A minor
Wed 8 Christina Knox (violin) – RNCM Partita No 1 in B minor
Thu 9 James Toll (violin) – RNCM Partita No 3 in E major
Fri 10 Peter Moore (trombone) – Chetham’s realisation by André Lafosse of Cello Suite No 2
Sat 11 Jonathan Martindale (violin) – RNCM Sonata No 1 in G minor
Sun 12 Andrew Booth (guitar) – RNCM transcription of Cello Suite No 5 in C minor
Mon 13 GALLERY CLOSED
Tue 14 Michael Gurevich (violin) – RNCM Sonata No 3 in C major
Wed 15 Philip Higham – RNCM Cello Suite No 6 in D major
Thu 16 Christian Elliott – RNCM Cello Suite No 3 in C major
Fri 17 Stephanie Oade – RNCM Cello Suite No 2 in D minor
Sat 18 Jonathan Dormand – RNCM Cello Suite No 4 in E flat major
Sun 19 Joris van den Berg – RNCM Cello Suite No 1 in G major
Credits
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and Holland Festival.
Produced by Manchester International Festival and Manchester Art Gallery.