Local Musicologist to Speak on Bach

The 15th annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival is several months away, but planners are seeking to stir early interest in this year's program with a special preview of the work and life of the prolific German composer.

Miloš Velimirović will discuss selected music of J.S. Bach, his son C.P.E. Bach and South American composers Heitor Villa-Lobos and Astor Piazzolla at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the Alexander Mack room of the Houff Community Center at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

This is the first of two lectures presented by Dr. Velimirović that will serve as a preview of the music to be performed on the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, June 10-17, 2007, said Mary Kay Adams, Bach Festival coordinator.

Ms. Adams noted that Dr. Velimirović will give a second lecture on the works of Brahms, Chopin and Mendelssohn to be performed at this year's Bach Festival at 2 p.m. May 22. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

Of Serbian origin, Velimirović earned a diploma in the history of fine arts at the University of Belgrade prior to earning his MA and PhD at Harvard University. He was a music professor at Yale University (1957-69), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1969-73) and at the University of Virginia (1973-1993) in addition to receiving a Fulbright fellowship to teach in Yugoslavia in 1985.

In 2004, Velimirović received an honorary doctorate from the University of Athens, Greece, for his work on Byzantine chant, for which he is considered an international expert, along with his expertise in the history of Slavonic (especially Russian) music and Italian opera history in the 18th century.

His research interests have culminated in writing many books and articles published in such well-known music sources as "The New Oxford History of Music," volume II, 2nd ed., and The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Velimirović and his wife are residents of the Bridgewater Retirement Community.

For further information on the lectures or the Bach Festival program, contact Mary Kay Adams at 540-432-4367 or bach@emu.edu or visit www.emu.edu/bach.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted January 22, 2007