The complete organ works of Bach
Recital 1, with Christian Schmitt
To kick off this four-year series of 16 concerts, the festival welcomes Christian Schmitt, one of the most prominent concert organists of his generation. A winner of ten national and international competitions, he performs in the world’s leading concert halls and at major festivals. His discography includes more than 35 recordings. He is a lecturer at the Internationale Bach Akademie in Stuttgart and serves as technical advisor for the organ at the Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Festival International Bach Montréal, St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal presents the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, presented in an exceptional series of 16 concerts over four years. This musical journey will bring together some of the greatest interpreters of Bach’s organ works, hailing from eight countries. Each recital will feature a selection of works representative of the composer’s diverse styles and periods, enhanced by the majestic sound of the Oratory’s grand Rudolf von Beckerath organ.
Photo: Uwe Arens
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Fantasia in C minor, BWV 562
Seven Choral Preludes from Orgelbüchlein – for the Pentecost:
Come, God, Creator, Holy Spirit BWV 631
Lord Jesus Christt, turn toward us, BWV 632
Dear Jesus, we are here, BWV 633–634
These are the holy Ten Commandments, BWV 635
Our Father in heaven, BWV 636
Through Adam’s Fall, BWV 637
Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 534
Chorale Prelude “In dulci jubilo”, BWV 729
Chorale Prelude “From high above, that’s I come from”, BWV 738
Trio Sonata no. 3 in D minor, BWV 527
Andante
Adagio e dolce
Vivace
Toccata and Fugue in F major, BWV 540
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 3:30pm
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
Recital 2, with Vincent Boucher
In this second recital, Vincent Boucher, the Rudolf von Beckerath Organist at Saint-Joseph Oratory, will present a selection of early works, including the Organ Piece and the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and will perform for the first time at the Festival the two organ chaconnes by Bach that were discovered in 2025.
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 3:30pm
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
To purchase your tickets for any of these concerts, visit: www.festivalbachmontreal.com
Founded in 2005 by Alexandra von Oppenheim, the Festival International Bach Montréal has established itself as North America’s leading festival celebrating the timeless musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach and the cultural heritage he inspires.
Every year in November and December, the Festival International Bach Montréal offers some 30 different events: paid and free concerts, public rehearsals, lectures, children’s concerts, meetings with international musicians, and much more.
Today, the festival brings together over 20,000 local and international festival-goers at a dozen iconic Montreal venues, including the Maison symphonique, Salle Bourgie at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Saint Joseph’s Oratory on Mont-Royal, and many of the city’s churches.
www.festivalbachmontreal.com