Bach in the Subways
March 21, 2018
Who doesn’t love a soundtrack? Let alone getting a live soundtrack from one of the world’s greatest composers?
That’s exactly what Bach in the Subways aims to do. This program places talented musicians in areas along your commute to serenade passersby with some of the greatest written music in human record. This event began in 2010 when Dale Henderson began performing the Bach Cello Suites in the New York City Subway system. His belief was that most people never got to hear this brilliant music live, which is how it was meant to be heard. Rather than receive donations, Henderson rather provided his audience with free postcards that explained his intentions, which was to sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers.
Such an awesome endeavor.
The following year, on the anniversary of Bach’s 326th birthday (March 21), Henderson opened the invitation to other musicians. In 2012, thirteen musicians joined him, and the year following that, 2013, 40 musicians in New York (as well as 3 other US cities and Montreal) united with the same intent. From there, this event took off. By 2015, Bach in the Subways saw thousands of musicians join forces to play this great music live in 150 cities, 40 countries, in subway stations, street corners, cafes, mall, zoos, and wherever else there was room to pull out an instrument. In that single day, more Bach was played worldwide than ever before.
In 2016, Bach in the Subways was extended beyond Bach’s birthday, giving musicians a few days and a weekend to express themselves through the great composer. Every year on Bach’s birthday musicians unite and celebrate with this music.
So be sure to hear Bach’s music filtering through SEPTA!
While originally, SEPTA stations were supposed to be filled with Bach on his birthday (March 21), due to Winter (er, or is it Spring) Storm Toby, today’s show’s were cancelled or postponed. Below is the current updated snow schedule of Bach in the Subways performances.
March 22
Walnut/Locust, 4:15-5:15 PM
Cello: John Koen
March 23
Walnut/Locust, 12:45-1:45 PM
Cello: John Koen
March 23
Jefferson Station, 2:30-4:30
Portable Pipe Organ: Jim Pavlock/Aaron Patterson
March 23
Jefferson Station, 4:45-5:45 PM
Various instruments: Members of the Philadelphia Orchestera
We highly recommend traveling through these stations, and passing by these musicians playing renditions of the great composer’s creations. It’s worth the listen. Who knows, maybe you are your generation’s next classical music lover!
