Before Bach's Birthday Bash - March 18, 2023

We celebrated Before Bach's Birthday Bash on March 18 with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone, a daylong celebration that featured five hourlong concerts at venues in Minneapolis. Relive the first hour now in our archived livestream video below and broadcast audio above.

Johann Sebastian Bach's birthday comes around every year on March 21. The occasion calls for a celebration of this most remarkable of musical talents, and Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Barone (host of 

) decided that the composer deserved something special. A number of years ago, he and colleagues from the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists arranged a Bach's Birthday Bash, and the idea blossomed.

When Bach's birthday doesn't fall on a Saturday, such as this year, the celebration is held early and becomes Before Bach's Birthday Bash. BBBB events have become something of a local tradition, with enthusiasts from all parts of the state participating or just listening.

This year's activities featured five free hourlong public concerts of Bach's music, presented at five venues and churches in Minneapolis during the morning and afternoon of Saturday, March 18.  

Co-sponsors included the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Bach Society of Minnesota and YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio. 

The first concert was aired live at 9 a.m. central by YourClassical MPR

straight from St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. Performers included organists Samuel Holmberg, Emily Roth and Sarah Palmer, pianist Yura Jung, and cellist Charles Asch.

Other concerts (not livestreamed) followed in Minneapolis at : 

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

Before Bach's Birthday Bash, which was held March 18 with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone, celebrated the works of composer J.S. Bach with five hourlong concerts at venues in Minneapolis. Relive the first hour now with our archived livestream video and broadcast audio.


Before Bach's Birthday Bash: Relive this annual celebration of a great composer