In 1970 German organist and conductor Helmuth Rilling came to the University of Oregon for a series of workshops and an informal concert. Since then, Oregon Bach Festival—through the efforts of Rilling, co-founder Royce Saltzman, and a cadre of volunteers, musicians, patrons, and donors—has blossomed into one of the foremost celebrations of Bach’s music and legacy in the United States. -Source: OBF website
The Wall Street Journal has named OBF as “one of the world’s leading musical festivals,” and over the years renowned performers such as Garrison Keillor, Bobby McFerrin, Frederica von Stade and Yo-Yo Ma have shared their own artistic magic with the festival.
In 2000, “Penderecki: Credo” from the Oregon Bach Festival was recognized with a Grammy for Best Choral Performance