Behind the legendary name of J.S. Bach lies the story of a rebellious young genius.
Orphaned as a child and sent to live with his older brother, the young Sebastian was forbidden from studying his brother’s prized collection of works by the great keyboard masters. Undeterred, he spent months secretly copying the book by hand – working only by moonlight to avoid discovery.
In this late-night recital, acclaimed organist Richard Moore (Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford) explores that same world of North German keyboard music – the tradition that shaped the mind of the composer Bach would become. Featuring the music he was never meant to hear – by Buxtehude, Reincken, and Kuhnau – the programme culminates in Bach’s own monumental Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor.
Presented by Clifton Festival
Richard Moore organ
Format: Unreserved seating
Age: All ages
Programme
Programme to include:
Johann Adam Reincken Toccata
Dietrich Buxtehude Chaconne in C minor (BuxWV 159)
Georg Böhm Ouverture (Suite No 2 in D)
Johann Kuhnau Biblical Sonata No 2: The melancholy of Saul assuaged
Johann Sebastian Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor (BWV 582)
Performance times
Start: 20.45
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Ticket offers
Start with an early performance, then stay seated at Clifton Cathedral for the second stunning programme.
Enjoy both concerts for just £25.96 a beautifully immersive evening at a brilliant good price. Just add both tickets to your basket and the discount will be applied at checkout.
Fri 5 Jun JS Bach: Music for Solo Violin
Fri 5 Jun Secret Bach by Moonlight
The venue
Clifton Cathedral
Getting There
Address: Clifton Park, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3BX
The site has entrances on both Pembroke Rd and Clifton Park Rd. There is level access at the Clifton Park side entrance.
Bicycle & e-scooter
Voi e-scooters are available for hop-on hop-off short-term rental across Bristol. The closest Voi parking is on Worcester Rd opposite the venue.
Car parking
The church has underground parking located on Worcester Rd.
Bus
From the centre, the 8 will stop at Clifton Park which is a short walk from the venue.
Accessibility
Parking & drop off
Level access is available to the Cathedral from the front (Clifton Park). There is an on-site car park located underneath the venue with disabled parking spots off Worcester Rd.
The space directly outside the West Door is available for parking or drop-off.
Assistance dogs
All assistance dogs are welcome. Our staff are trained to know how to behave around working dogs. Please ask if there’s anything we can do to help.
Accessible Toilet
There are accessible toilets in the venue.
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20:45