THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE and Christ Cathedral music ministry are hosting 19 hours of continuous organ music by J.S. Bach starting on March 3, a marathon session on the cathedral’s Hazel Wright Organ that will go through nearly all of Bach’s prolific organ catalog.
The free concert — dubbed “Bach-athon!” — begins at the early hour of 6 a.m. on March 3 and is expected to last through 1 a.m. March 4.
In total, organizers plan to perform around 200 Bach organ works, which range from 45 seconds long to 25 minutes. Selections include the beloved “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Singet dem Herrn” for double choir, “Christe eleison” from the B minor Mass, a Brandenberg Concerto arranged for organ duet, and the whirlwind “Wedge” Prelude and Fugue in E minor.
“Bach-a-thon” is being presented in collaboration with the American Guild of Organists and will feature 40 Southern California-based organists, hailing from Ventura to San Diego. The musician lineup will also include some Crystal Cathedral alumni, as well as about 100 singers during the “best of Bach” hour starting at 7:30 p.m. with David Ball, head of the music ministry.
Commentary will be provided throughout “Bach-a-Thon” by Michael Barone, host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Pipedreams,” and Roger Sherman, owner of Gothic Records and host of “The Organ Loft.”
The concert will be livestreamed. No tickets are required. Christ Cathedral is located at 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove. For more information, visit ChristCathedralMusic.org