Today in Ufa, the opening of the XI International Organ Festival "SAUERFEST" was held. The traditional music forum was opened by the creative duet of the famous art critic, master of the conferant, two-time winner of the bronze "Orpheus" - Artem Vargaftik (Moscow) and organist Taras Bagints (Ekaterinburg).
 
300 years ago, a musical contest between the "world star" of that time - the celebrated French organist Louis Marchand and the magnificent German organist Johann Bach - was supposed to take place. But on the appointed evening Marchand did not show up. The Frenchman left, thereby recognizing Bach's superiority. It was to these two composers that the concert program of the Vargaftik-Baginets tandem was dedicated: "Bach and Marchand. The history of the failed duel. "
 
At the concert there were works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Louis Marchand. In the first department - Piece d'Orgue (Fantasia) in G major, BWV 572, Johann Sebastian Bach's Choir Preludes and "Big Dialogue" by Louis Marchand. In the second, the maestro introduced the audience Toccata and Fugue in D minor (in Dorian fret), BWV 538 and Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582 Bach, and also the First Organ Book of Marchand.
 
Talking about the program of today's concert, Artem Mikhailovich said that any story related to Bach is a kind of competition and rivalry.
 
"This is self-assertion in the competitive struggle, and honest though very tough with the various characters of musical history. It is important not to forget that Bach was not the only one that was unique, unrepeatable and great. Around him were many other people, sometimes no less interesting and no less talented. And without them, there would be no one. That's what we want to remind, "the critic said.
 
Taras A. Baginets noted that the most important thing is the rapprochement between the public and the artists. Communicating with the audience, the music becomes more understandable.
 
"Similar festivals like" SAUERFEST ", where there is an opportunity for communication, gives more satisfaction to both the artist himself and the listener. I travel a lot with tours both in Russia and around the world. I am very pleased to see representatives of the young and adult generation in the halls of our country, "said the organist.
 
Recall that from October to December, the Bashkir Philharmonic, as in previous years, will please Ufa residents and guests of the capital of the republic with concerts of the best musicians of Europe and Russia.