Bach Choir
The Bach Choir of London is among the world's oldest amateur choirs; it will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025. The 220-member group is widely respected for its annual concerts, tours, and recordings. Its patrons have included Queen Victoria and, presently, the Prince of Wales.
The group was formed in 1875 for the British premiere the following year of Bach's Mass in B minor, BWV 232, at St. James' Hall in London. The performance was a success, and the group members decided to establish itself as an ongoing organization. The name Bach Choir denoted the group's origins, but the choir has always had a broad repertory that has included landmarks of English choral music. It does often perform the Bach St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, and other Bach works. Various illustrious figures have been numbered among the Bach Choir's directors, including composer Charles Villiers Stanford (1885-1902), Ralph Vaughan Williams (1920-19260, Adrian Boult (1926-1932), David Willcocks (1960-1998) and since 1998, David Hill. Under Willcocks, the choir began a touring program that has included performances around the world, including in South Africa in 1997, where it became the first foreign choir to visit the country after apartheid was abolished. The choir has no fixed residence but performs in major London venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, in its roughly 20 annual concerts. The choir also maintains an outreach program that takes its music into inner-city schools. It has collaborated with a large variety of top orchestras and vocal soloists.
The Bach Choir has a long history of recording that includes several holiday releases. In 2009, it began an association with the Naxos label, releasing a recording of composer Carl Rütti's Requiem. The choir moved to Hyperion for a 2020 recording of Herbert Howells' Missa Sabrinensis.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Discography
6 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Bach Inspired
Bach Choir, David Hill, Faust Chamber Orchestra
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Stone Records on Mar 18, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Walton: A Queen's Fanfare, Crown Imperial, Four Christmas Carols and Other Works
Sir David Willcocks, Philharmonia Orchestra, Bach Choir
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on Oct 1, 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Family Carols
Sir David Willcocks, Bach Choir, John Scott, Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Chandos on Nov 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Noël!: A Selection of Carols & Anthems
Christmas Music - Released by Priory Records on Jan 10, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mathias: Lux aeterna
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Chandos on Mar 1, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bach Choir sing Family Carols
Bach Choir, Sir David Willcocks, John Scott, Royal Military School of Music Fanfare Trumpeters, Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble
Classical - Released by Chandos on Sep 1, 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo