On June 4, Classical IPR is partnering with the Szczecin Philharmonic to present a 12-hour marathon concert called "Bachathon for Ukraine."
The concert will be carried around the world and broadcast exclusively in the United States on Interlochen Public Radio.
The featured musician on this concert is pianist Aaron Pilsan, who will perform both books of Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier live.
Pilsan spoke with Classical IPR from his home in Berlin about the concert and about his passion for the music of Bach.
The concert came about because he and other artists wanted to show support for the people of Ukraine.
"I asked myself what I could do to help people who are in need during this current crisis," Pilsan said.
Pilsan worked with Kevin Kleinmann to develop the concept for this concert. Kleinmann is past president of the Tureck Bach Research Institute (which is now housed at Interlochen Center for the Arts) and former senior vice president at PolyGram/Universal Music International.
When asked why Bach was the appropriate music for such a concert, he said that it is because Bach's music encompasses the ideal balance of the logical, spiritual and emotional.
"This composer stands for harmony and for different voices coming together in perfect harmony," Pilsan explained.
Pilsan said the music of Bach is what inspired him to become a musician in the first place. "There's hardly any day that I play Bach in the morning."
Pilsan said that for this upcoming performance is much like preparing for a marathon. "Every single day, I think of the event and how it will feel there," he explained.
He's also practicing by playing all of the music for friends ahead of the concert.
In addition to Pilsan's five-hour Bach performance, Bachathon for Ukraine will feature additional musicians playing the music of Bach.
Those musicians include the Ukrainian pianist Alexei Grynyuk and the Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina, plus a few surprises. All Pilsan would say is that there will be a Bach "remix."
The concert will take place in the Golden Hall of the Szczecin Philharmonic and broadcast exclusively in the United States on Interlochen Public Radio.
Hear "Bachathon for Ukraine" on Classical IPR on Saturday, June 4, starting at 2 p.m. Eastern.
To support relief efforts in Ukraine, IPR invites listeners to make donations to Sunflower of Peace. Please specify that your donation is in response to the "Bachathon for Ukraine" concert.
IPR thanks Kevin Kleinmann for additional support.
