Learn about Sebastian Bach at next Live at Lanier event

Published 12:07 pm Friday, August 1, 2025

Pianist Beth Child will perform answers to her question “What makes Bach so great?” at Lanier Library on Wednesday, August 20 at 1 p.m. 

While explaining and performing Sebastian Bach excerpts, Child wants to break down barriers to appreciating the composer and make his compositional and performance skills not only understandable but fun.

“Pianists are leery of Bach,” says Child. “They rely mostly on the right hand, while Bach challenged his students to use both hands equally. I want amateurs and non-musicians to hear and enjoy how motivic ideas and melodies switch from hand to hand.”

“I feel so alive when playing,” she continues. . “When playing, I’m delving into genius and someone else’s emotions.” Bach, with his intellectual rigor, emotional expressiveness, and challenging technique, was first choice for her program from possibilities such as Haydn and Mozart.

The Live at Lanier program promises “edutainment” and is free and open to the public. Lanier Library is located at 72 Chestnut Street in Tryon. 

Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio