Bach Is Back, And He'll Be Here For A While - MaineToday

Divisions in classical music and the debate about how to treat the most sacred part of the canon will play out in Portland this spring, as the city hosts two Bach-focused festivals that will offer audiences two very different musical experiences.

One is more formal and traditional, the other more casual and contemporary, and both grew out of the short-lived Portland Bach Festival, which was staged in 2016 and 2017 and then dissolved over the course of this past winter when creative differences between the artistic directors divided their vision and forced their split. As a result, Portland now has two music festivals that draw inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach, considered by many to be the greatest composer of all time.

First up is the first round of the Portland Bach Experience, a modern festival rooted in old-world traditions. It begins this week with musical experiences in private homes, nightclubs, a bowling alley and the Portland Museum of Art. The festival has another round of events in June that will include outdoor concerts, pop-up concerts and Bach & Beer, as well as traditional concerts in formal settings.
Emily Isaacson is the festival’s founder and artistic director. She is artistic director of the Oratorio Chorale and Maine Chamber Ensemble, and a graduate of Williams College.