Ever since pianist Simone Dinnerstein released her recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" back in 2007, she's had a reputation as singular interpreter of Bach. Since then, Dinnerstein has explored wide ranging musical interests, but her album, "Complicité," with her ensemble Baroklyn, brings her back to Bach and some highly original performances of his music.

The Musical Offering by Johann Sebastian Bach was a response to a challenge from Frederick the Great of Prussia to create six-voice fugue based on a theme (supposedly) written by the King. Bach Akademie Charlotte will perform Bach's famous gift to the monarch, as well as works by other members of the Bach family, in a concert at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Charlotte. One of Bach Akademie's artistic leaders, cellist Guy Fishman, will lead the concert, and flutist Emi Ferguson, a 2023 recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, will be featured in her first ever Charlotte performance. Rachel talks with Guy and Emi about performing this masterpiece which so beautifully answers Frederick's challenge.

World renowned pianist Orion Weiss joins the Charlotte Symphony for concerts in January. He'll be the soloist for two very different works: Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Winds   and Bach's   Harpsichord Concerto No. 6 . He's the guest on Biscuits and Bach and he talks about how much he enjoys learning new Bach works. Pictured: Orion Weiss by Lisa Marie Mazzucco

Spirit and Soul Bakehouse is an Indigenous owned bakery started by pastry chef Travis Lipscomb. Lipscomb is not only an expert on French pastry, he's also well versed in Native Foodways. At Spirit and Soul he reinterprets European classics through the lens of Native Foodways. Tune in to hear how Lipscomb is using ingredients like corn and squash to reinvent the croissant and other pastry favorites.

One of Bach's great musical achievements is his six cello suites. Most professional cellists will add them to their repertoire at some point in their career. We talk to Guy Fishman, principal cellist with Bach Akademie Charlotte, about his recital at Holy Comforter Church in Charlotte where he plays all six suites, a herculean feat. Guy tells us why he considers these works great and talks about the challenge of playing them all in a single day.

These days, the cello is one of the star instruments of the orchestra, but that hasn't always been the case. For the 2024 Charlotte Bach Festival, principal cello and Bach Akademie Charlotte artistic leader Guy Fishman has put together a program called "The Cello Ascending." He discusses how the program explores how the cello's role has evolved from mere accompaniment to shining as a virtuoso solo instrument. Learn more about " The Cello Ascending "

Bach Akademie Charlotte's concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky explains why Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is the featured work in the opening concert of the 2024 Charlotte Bach Festival . She also talks about why she loves the work and looks forward to playing with with her Bach Akademie colleagues. Aisslinn will be both soloist and conductor for the performance.

Each Spring the Charlotte Shout! Festival takes place in uptown Charlotte, and one important component of the festival is Charlotte StrEATs, which focuses on food. This week we talk to one of the producers of Charlotte StrEATs, Kristen Wile from Unpretentious Palate, a digital publication covering food and drink in our region. She gives us an overview of the food offerings and tips for getting the most out of Charlotte StrEATs. Learn more about Charlotte StrEATs

Alan Black, Principal Cello Emeritus of the Charlotte Symphony, joins Rachel to talk about Bach's Cello Suites and why he loves playing them. Alan and fellow cellist Grace Anderson will perform all six suites on WDAV's upcoming "Cellomania" Tour to Bach's region of Germany. Learn more about the Bach Cellomania Tour

Bach wrote his Christmas Oratorio for the Christmas season of 1734. It consists of six cantatas, each intended for performance on a feast day during the Christmas season. In June 2023, Bach Akademie Charlotte's Bach festival centered around the Christmas Oratorio. Laura Atkinson, a singer and the Education Director of Bach Akademie Charlotte, talks about the origins of the musical series and its foundation for Bach's other works.