REVIEW: Bach & Brews at the 9th Ward

Have you ever wondered what it was like to listen to classical music in the era in which it was written?

Imagine sitting down in an aged tavern with low ceilings, acoustic instruments, and a small and intimate crowd. We, as modern music enjoyers, have grown to expect large concert halls, stadiums, and theatres, but this is not where much music of the past took place.

Similar to today’s underground music scene, music performances throughout history would consist of only a handful of musicians getting together and playing the newest pieces in a local bar or cafe.

This experience is now dominated by electric guitars, amps, and microphones. But, what was it like to listen to a classical ensemble play, unplugged, as it was centuries ago?

Herein lies the goal of the Bach & Brews concert series, organized and performed by the Buffalo Chamber Players.

“Our Bach & Brews shows are inspired by performances organized by J.S. Bach at Café Zimmermann, a bustling coffeehouse in eighteenth-century Leipzig,” said artistic director Janz Castelo. “Bach & Brews is our modern take on Bach’s concerts, where audiences can enjoy great music in a relaxed and fun atmosphere not traditionally associated with classical music.”

The Buffalo Chamber Players pulled off this “modern take on Bach’s concerts” through several different aspects. The 9th Ward was a perfect selection for the event; the small space with brick walls and a bar at the back gave the performance a wonderfully intimate setting. 

Ordering a pint and hearing Bach’s music made me feel as though I had been transported back in time (with the underlying comfort that I have a car that can get me home in thirty minutes).

To add to this authentic “parlor effect,” pianist Roland E. Martin performed on a replica harpsichord modeled after a Pascal Taskin harpsichord from 1769. Castelo continued, “Our performances always feature something unique, something special, and the harpsichord adds to this. Using a piano would not be the same. While we are not a period ensemble performing on period instruments, the harpsichord gets us closer to the sound Bach would have heard in his time.” How they transported this unique instrument into the basement venue is beyond me; I will therefore attribute it to witchcraft.

This, and the inclusion of vocalists from the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, tied the show to eighteenth-century Germany.

Aside from the fantastic interpretations of the music, the acoustics of the 9th Ward were one of the best aspects of this performance, unexpectedly.

We might assume that live performances will be accompanied by the reverb and echo of a large space; in the 9th Ward, this is not the case. 

Within such a dry room, you can hear the space between every note: no single pitch lasts longer than it should.

When the edge of the bow lifts off the viola’s strings, and when the final gust of air flies through the bore of the oboe, you feel the silence.

Janz Castelo captured this idea perfectly, saying, “When you’re listening to us play, there’s nothing else in your mind… or ours for that matter.”

Every aspect of the performance was intentional on the part of the Buffalo Chamber Players, and together they led to a fantastic night of Bach (and Handel).

If Bach and Brew’s sounds like something up your alley, then you are in luck! The Buffalo Chamber Players will be doing an additional Bach and Brews performance at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, April 8th at the 9th Ward. 

General Admission Seated $20 advance, $25 day of show,  available at TixR.com or in person at the Babeville Box Office (M-F 11a-5p- in-person fee-free cash sales, 3% credit/debit card fee).