Bach at Lunch: An Arkansas Organist’s Year-Long Tribute to a Musical Legend

February 5, 2025
Bach at Lunch: An Arkansas Organist’s Year-Long Tribute to a Musical Legend

Arkansas Organist Performs 18 Hours of Bach’s Works in Year-Long Concert Series

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Inside the historic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, organist Colin MacKnight is on a mission: to perform all of Johann Sebastian Bach’s organ works throughout 2025, marking the 275th anniversary of the composer’s death.

MacKnight, who serves as the cathedral’s music director, has planned a series of half-hour concerts nearly every Wednesday, allowing audiences to experience 18 hours of Bach’s music in manageable portions. The performances, which are free and open to the public, have drawn classical music enthusiasts, church members, and casual listeners alike.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” MacKnight said. “It’s the best way to truly immerse myself in Bach’s brilliance.”

The concerts double as educational sessions, with MacKnight providing explanations of musical terms and historical context. Attendees like Barry Coplin, a regular audience member, describe the experience as emotionally stirring. Others, like Ben Wiley, appreciate the structured format, noting that listening in shorter segments makes Bach’s intricate compositions more digestible.

As part of the global celebrations of Bach’s legacy, MacKnight will also perform a special 100-minute concert on July 28, featuring Clavier-Übung III, one of Bach’s most significant organ works.

According to Rev. Thomas Alexander, a priest at Trinity, the concert series is an opportunity to engage the community through music. “It’s like reading an entire collection of novels—you gain a deeper understanding of the artist. But more importantly, it brings people together.”

With each performance, MacKnight not only honors Bach’s legacy but also offers his audience a rare opportunity to experience the composer’s complete works in an intimate and reflective setting.

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