Cape Symphony Presents: Bach's Music Box

If Bach Had a Music Box…The Goldberg Variations Reimagined

What would J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations sound like if they were played on a music box? Percussionists Katalin La Favre and Brian Calhoon answer that question in this enchanting program, transforming Bach’s iconic keyboard masterpiece into a dazzling world of unusual timbres and shimmering textures.

The evening begins as a vibraphone duet, then unfolds into a playful sonic journey with tongue drums, children’s handbells, antique glockenspiel, hammered dulcimer, and more. Drawing on Gamelan influences and antiphonal techniques that highlight Bach’s intricate counterpoint, these inventive arrangements reveal new voices and surprising colors in timeless music.

? Why this concert is unmissable:

• A fresh, one-of-a-kind take on one of Bach’s greatest works.

• Rare instruments and unexpected sounds that evoke the magic of a music box.

• Two internationally trained percussionists bringing artistry, imagination, and energy to the stage.

About the Artists:

• Katalin La Favre (b. 1988, she/her) began her musical journey as a harpist before turning to percussion. A Fulbright Scholar, she studied with Jean Geoffroy at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Lyon, earning both a master’s degree and artist diploma. Her innovative work has been performed across France, Germany, Scotland, and Portugal, and she now teaches at Cleveland State University and performs with the new music ensemble No Exit.

• Brian Calhoon (b. 1984, he/him) is a Provincetown-based percussionist, singer, and innkeeper at the Brasswood Inn. A Marimba One artist, he has premiered nearly 100 new works with ensembles such as the Boston Percussion Group, Equilibrium Ensemble, and Juventas New Music Ensemble. Brian is also the creator of Marimba Cabaret, blending show tunes, pop, and percussion in joyful new ways.