On 28 November 2026, organist Vincent Boucher gives an introductory lecture on the organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach at Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal in Montreal. The talk is an entry point for music lovers who want to understand the repertoire before hearing it performed, and it opens a longer journey through Bach's organ music.
The lecture launches a series of sixteen recitals, spread over four years, that will cover Bach's complete organ works. Boucher, who serves as titular organist at the Oratory, uses musical examples and listening tips to show how the different forms fit together.
What the talk covers
Boucher presents the major forms that Bach used for the organ:
- chorales
- preludes and fugues
- fantasias and toccatas
- trios
- major liturgical works
Why visit
This is a good evening for anyone curious about the organ and its place in Bach's music, whether or not you plan to attend the full series. Hearing the examples in the church setting, with the instrument at hand, gives the talk a context that a recording alone cannot. Saint Joseph's Oratory stands on Mount Royal, so visitors can combine the event with a walk around the mountain and the wider city.
Venue: Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, 3800 chemin Queen Mary, Montreal.
For details and booking, visit the event page on the Festival Bach Montreal website.