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It’s Bach day in Winnipeg!
As part of the 2025 Winnipeg Baroque Festival, the Royal Canadian College of Organists is hosting its beloved Bach Marathon Concert at Young United Church this afternoon—and we at Classic 107 are getting in on the fun early with a Saturday morning playlist that’s all Bach, all hour long.
From coffee-fuelled comic cantata to the mighty Brandenburgs, we’re serving up a delicious sampling of Bach’s brilliance to set the tone for this afternoon’s festivities. Whether you’re heading to the concert or enjoying from afar, consider this your musical warmup.
Here’s what’s on the 9 a.m. menu:
9:00 a.m. – Little Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578 | David MacDonald, organ
We’re kicking things off with a bite-sized powerhouse. Bach’s Little Fugue is one of his most famous organ works—short, dramatic, and packed with contrapuntal wizardry. Organist David MacDonald sets the tone with rich textures and rhythmic energy. Despite the nickname “little,” there’s nothing small about its impact.
9:04 a.m. – Coffee Cantata (Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht), BWV 211 | Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Suzie LeBlanc, Brett Polegato, Nils Brown; directed by Jeanne Lamon
Yes, Bach wrote a cantata about coffee. And yes, it’s delightful.
This comic mini-opera pokes fun at the coffee craze of 18th-century Leipzig, featuring a young woman desperate for her caffeine fix and a father trying (unsuccessfully) to wean her off. With the always-stylish Tafelmusik ensemble and standout Canadian soloists like Suzie LeBlanc and Brett Polegato, it’s a frothy treat you won’t want to miss.
This piece also gets a nod in today’s live marathon, where baritone Lukas Sawatsky takes on the challenge of performing an excerpt.
9:31 a.m. – Preludes and Fugues No. 8 and 9 from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 | Glenn Gould, piano
Two gems from Bach’s monumental keyboard collection, interpreted by the one-and-only Glenn Gould. These preludes and fugues show off the expressive range of Bach’s writing—from brooding introspection to playful brilliance. Gould brings his signature clarity and eccentric charm to these timeless works.
9:43 a.m. – Sheep May Safely Graze (from Cantata BWV 208) | Elmer Iseler Singers & Mainly Mozart Orchestra; conducted by Elmer Iseler
Arguably one of Bach’s most peaceful and pastoral creations, Sheep May Safely Graze offers a moment of serene beauty. Originally written as part of a secular cantata celebrating a nobleman’s birthday, the piece has since taken on a life of its own as a beloved choral classic. With Elmer Iseler at the helm, this version is pure elegance.
9:47 a.m. – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, 1st movement | Musica Antiqua Köln, directed by Reinhard Goebel
Time to turn up the energy! The Brandenburgs are among Bach’s greatest hits, and No. 5 is especially dazzling thanks to its turbo-charged harpsichord solo. Musica Antiqua Köln delivers a thrilling performance, with Goebel’s ensemble leaning into the flair and flourish of this virtuosic showpiece.
9:57 a.m. – Inventions No. 7 and 8 | Simone Dinnerstein, piano
We close out the hour with two of Bach’s elegant Inventions—short, refined keyboard pieces originally designed as exercises for his students. But in the hands of pianist Simone Dinnerstein, they become miniature masterworks, full of life, clarity, and quiet sophistication.
Whether you’re a lifelong Bach fan or just dipping a toe into the Baroque pool, this playlist offers a perfect prelude to today’s Bach Marathon Concert at Young United Church (1 to 5 p.m.). With over four hours of performances by musicians of all ages, special storytelling appearances by “Johann Sebastian and Anna Magdalena Bach,” and a come-and-go-as-you-please atmosphere, it’s a community celebration like no other.
Admission is by donation, with proceeds supporting scholarships for budding organists and future events—including a June concert with Montreal’s Isabelle Demers.
So grab your coffee (Bach would approve), tune in, and join us in raising a morning toast to the master himself.
Happy Bach Day, Winnipeg!