Texas Bach Festival Celebrates Succession of Musical Genius
In honor of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 340th birthday this year, the Texas Bach Festival is spotlighting not just his creative legacy but two composers inspired by the classical music giant. One of Western music’s most influential figures, Bach’s mastery of form and thematic development has echoed through generations.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, after hearing a Bach motet, was so moved that he transcribed the entire piece from memory. Ludwig van Beethoven, in turn, drew from both Bach and Mozart, creating a lineage of genius that inspired this year’s festival theme: Bach, Mozart and Beethoven: Succession of Genius.
Running May 18 and June 24-29, the eighth annual festival offers six days of performances, pre-concert talks, and the return of its popular meet-the-artist lunch. It kicks off May 18 with David Asbury and Friends—the festival’s first classical guitar concert—
at the Georgetown Public Library. This free event will feature Baroque-era music, the ornate style Bach helped define. “When Bach died in 1750, it essentially marked the end of the Baroque era,” director Barry Scott Williamson (inset) notes.
On June 24, organist Dr. David Polley performs “Bach In Paris ca 1935,” inspired by French composers who revived Bach’s legacy. On June 25 Bach’s Lunch pairs pianist Andrew Brownell and baritone Michael Hix for a midday recital of Bach’s Amore traditore, followed by lunch at City Post Chophouse. June 26 features a free “Q&A with the Maestro,” and on June 27, TBF’s Artisan Quartet presents “Defiant Genius,” performing two Beethoven quartets that reflect his bold, innovative style.
The festival concludes June 29 with “The Voice of Angels,” uniting the TBF Choir and Camerata Orchestra with Austin Symphony clarinetist Steven Girko. They will perform Mozart’s Requiem and clarinet concerto—works from his final year that embody the concert’s celestial theme. TBF is partnering with Georgetown veterans groups to provide 100 free tickets for veterans. “We want to honor our veterans and let them experience some beautiful healing in their lives,” Barry says.
For tickets and more, scan the code or visit texasbachfestival.org.
Texas Bach Festival 2025 Schedule
- 2pm Sunday, May 18: “David Asbury and Friends” featuring Dr. David Asbury, classical guitar. As part of the Georgetown Public Library’s Live Music series, Dr. Asbury will share personal insights into and performances of guitar transcriptions of Baroque works by J.S. Bach, O’Carolan, Kellner, and others. Pre-concert talk at 1:45pm. Library’s Hewlett Room. Free admission, limited to 200 people.
- 7pm Tuesday, June 24: “Bach in Paris ca 1935” featuring organist Dr. David Polley and the works of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Messiaen, Alain, and Durufle. Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm. Grace Episcopal Church. $30/$25/$15
- 11am Wednesday, June 25: “Bach’s Lunch” featuring a joint recital with pianist Andrew Brownell and baritone Michael Hix and the works of J.S. Bach, Mozart, and others, including Bach’s secular solo cantata BWV 203, “Amore traditore.” Pre-concert talk at 10:45am. Library’s Hewlett Room. $30/$25/$15. Dutch Treat lunch following at 1:30 pm at City Post Chophouse, limited to 35 people. RSVP at texasbachfestival.org.
- 11am Thursday, June 26: “Q&A with the Maestro” (AKA “Grill the Maestro!”). Come with your questions for TBF’s Maestro Barry Scott Williamson on subjects such as the 2025 festival’s artistic impetus, the origins of the Mozart Requiem, the art of conducting, or other areas of interest. Library’s Hewlett Room. Free admission, limited to 200 people.
- 7pm Friday, June 27: “Defiant Genius” featuring the Artisan Quartet performing Beethoven quartets Opus 18 #1 and Opus 74 (“The Harp”). Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm. First United Methodist Church. $30/$25/$15.
- 3pm Sunday, June 29: “The Voice of Angels” featuring the TBF Choir and Camerata Orchestra with clarinetist Steven Girko, conducted by Barry Scott Williamson. Mozart Requiem K 626 and Clarinet Concerto in A Major K 622. Pre-concert talk at 2:30pm. Free tickets available for veterans. For more information, contact Barry at barry@texasbachfestival.org. First United Methodist Church. $35/30/20.