Bach and Handel

Close Encounters With Music presents Bach and Hendel with Simone Dinnerstein, Yehuda Hanani, and Hannah Sohn on Sunday, February 21, 2027 at 4pm here at Saint James Place. Called “a unique voice in the forest of Bach interpretation” (New York Times), pianist Simone Dinnerstein joins Yehuda Hanani in a program that addresses cultural twins of the Baroque, born less than one month and 125 kilometers apart—Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. While Bach was the great master of the polyphonic form, a fugal genius, Handel was a melodist of enormous power and sensitivity. Distinctly different composers, both achieved universal acclaim. Bach’s 15 Sinfonias and the joyful Gamba Sonata No. 2 alongside Handel’s Violin Sonata in F Major on cello and the sonata for two cellos and keyboard will handily illustrate their unique cosmic voices. A century later, Beethoven spun a set of variations on Handel’s theme from the oratorio “Judas Maccabeus.” Dinnerstein and Hanani (“The sonatas came bounding to life in vital interpretations rich in imaginative detail and virile strength. Mr. Hanani was rightly rewarded with cheers from the audience.” — New York Times) are well matched to ascend the heights of these celestial works. Simone Dinnerstein, piano; Yehuda Hanani, Hannah Sohn, cellos $60 Orchestra/Mezzanine (plus processing fees)