bach collegium san diego



"I must confess that it was surprisingly satisfying to hear, in great part because of the polished and consistently stylish playing of the chamber orchestra's instrumentalists and the equally refined and historically-informed singing of the Bach Collegium"

...Sandiego.com,
Ken Herman 2007


"Under the Collegium’s Music Director Ruben Valenzuela, a perfect subdued and exquisite sound was elicited from the supple small chorus of eight voices and the players of period instruments with their pure and softened timbres."

...Sandiego.com,
George Weinberg-Harter 2007


"What San Diego rarely experiences (has it ever?) is a serious, period-instrument performance done in the style and proportion that the composer himself might have actually recognized...Enter Ruben Valenzuela and his plucky Bach Collegium San Diego, who staged a breath-taking and eye-opening (or should we say ear-opening) period instrument performance of Messiah Sunday evening at St. Paul’s Cathedral under the guest conductor Stephen Sturk."

...Sandiego.com,
Ken Herman 2007


"Ruben Valenzuela knew how to impress with his organ playing. The richly ornamented organ chorale Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele by J.S. Bach resounded at the beginning, and at the end his virtuoso Fantasia in G-Major was celebrated with bravura. Thus were demonstrated the advantages of the instrument in the Schillerkirche, achieving a ringing sound using contrasting registers."

...Thüringer Landeszeitung,
Unaccredited 2005


"Valenzuela's talents as a Bach conductor were displayed at their fullest. Their sound was fresh, clean, and bright, yet at the same time warm. The balance was flawless, bringing out the music's often complex contrapuntal lines with delectable clarity."

...The San Diego Reader,
Jonathan Saville 2004

Celebrating Our Fifth Season

"We begin our fifth anniversary season with a feeling of excitement and recommitment to the most important areas of our work: historically informed performances of the Bach Cantatas, and the exploration of the music of Bach's direct predecessors and contemporaries. Through our unwavering dedication to performing the music of the Renaissance and Baroque - and especially the music of J.S. Bach - the Bach Collegium San Diego will continue presenting refreshing and unique events to the San Diego music community, building on the groundwork laid during our critically acclaimed first four years.

This season we are introducing a new facet in our programming aptly named the Discovery & Perspective Concert. This programming will provide a concert narration based on excerpts from Bach’s letters, other documents from Bach’s time, quotes by Bach’s sons and students, and domestic details about his daily life. In doing so, we hope to provide a new insight into the music and J.S. Bach himself. Welcome to Season 2007 - 2008!"

Please feel free to download a copy of our 2007-2008 season brochure. All ticket prices are listed below. For Advance Tickets, call 619.341.1726 or send your request with check to:

bach collegium san diego
P.O. Box 33754
San Diego, CA 92163

- Ruben Valenzuela, Music Director

J.S. Bach - B minor Mass - Season Highlight

Sunday 8 June 2008 at 4pm
Monday 9 June 2008 at 7pm
St James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
743 Prospect Street, La Jolla 92037

Bach’s monumental setting of the Latin Ordinary comes to life in the hands of conductor Ruben Valenzuela as he conducts the Bach Collegium San Diego and soloists in San Diego’s debut period instrument performance.

Patron: $60 (Reserved seating)
General: $35 (Non-reserved seating)
Student: $25

Ruben Valenzuela, conductor
Pierre Joubert, leader

Soloists:
Anne-Marie Dicce, soprano
Angela Young Smucker, alto
Vladimir Maric, tenor
John Polhamus, bass




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Additional Performances

None scheduled at this time.

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- Past Concerts -