'Bach Celebration'in Portola Valley 'Bach Celebration'in Portola Valley (February 25, 2004)

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) will present its 20th annual "Bach Celebration" in a series of three Sunday evening concerts on March 7, 14 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church.

The three concerts are timed to coincide with Johann Sebastian Bach's 319th birthday (the composer was born in Eisenach, Germany, on March 21, 1685).

The March 7 concert will be directed by Jonathan Salzedo and will include the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, Cantata No. 8, and the motet, Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden .

Cellist Kris Yenney will direct the March 14 concert. The program will include the Concerto for Oboe d'Amour in A major, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, and Trio Sonata.

The final concert, on Bach's birthday, will be directed by PACO music director Benjamin Simon. The program includes the Concerto for Piano in D minor, Suite for Unaccompanied Viola No. 5 in C minor, and Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major.

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra is composed of high school musicians chosen by competitive auditions. In 2000, PACO won the first-place award in the chamber music category at the 29th International Youth & Music Festival in Vienna.

Tickets for each concert are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and students. For more information, call 856-3848 or go to www.pacomusic.org.

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