Bath Bach Choir, formerly The City of Bath Bach Choir (CBBC), is based in Bath, Somerset, England, and is a registered charity.[1] Founded in 1946 by Cuthbert Bates, who also became a founding father of the Bath Bach Festival[2] in 1950, the choir's original aim was to promote the music of Johann Sebastian Bach via periodic music festivals. Bates – an amateur musician with a great love and understanding of this composer's works – was also the CBBC's principal conductor and continued in this role until his sudden death, in April 1980. This untimely exit pre-empted his planned retirement concert performance of J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor,[3][2] scheduled for July of the same year, and effectively ended the first period of the choir's history.
Distinguished Handel scholar[4] Denys Darlow succeeded Cuthbert Bates as musical director in 1980 and remained in the post until 1990. He was followed by Nigel Perrin, who remained Musical Director until December 2022. Perrin began his musical life as a chorister at Ely Cathedral, then won a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge, studying under Sir David Willcocks. In 1970 he also joined the newly formed King's Singers, having sung with them on an occasional basis after graduation in the summer of 1969, and thereafter entertaining the world throughout the 1970s as the highest voice (counter-tenor) of the irrepressible and ground-breaking vocal group.
The Bath Bach Choir, a member of the Cultural Forum for the Bath area,[7] has an illustrious history and continues to perform demanding and diverse choral works in the UK and overseas. Membership is governed by audition. The choir is widely regarded as one of the leading musical forces in the west of England and continues to perform two major orchestral concerts annually with a lighter concert in the summer. Most take place at Bath Abbey but other venues include Exeter Cathedral, The Forum, Bath the Michael Tippett Centre, the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon and the Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath.
Today, referred to as the Bath Bach Choir, the choir comprises about 100 committed singers from Bath and its environs, such as Frome, drawn from all walks of life, offering them the opportunity to sing challenging works at the very highest level with professional orchestras and soloists – the very proposition Cuthbert Bates made in 1946. The choir maintains an active list of patrons and friends who support its musical work in return for a range of related benefits.
The early years 1946–1980
The City of Bath Bach Choir gave its inaugural concert in June 1947 in Bath Abbey,[2] performing J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor. Cuthert Bates chose Alan Bennett, then head of music at City of Bath Boys' School (today Beechen Cliff School), to take on the roles of collaborator, assistant musical director and assistant director of the Bath Bach Festivals; the distinguished composer Dr. Ralph Vaughan Williams was appointed as president. In December 1947 the choir gave its first Carols by Candlelight concert in the historic Grand Pump Room, Bath, at which the choir displayed versatility and musicianship by introducing new carols and arrangements as well as old favourites for audience participation. These annual Christmas concerts continue to this day.
A year after his death, in August 1958, Vaughan Williams was succeeded as president by Sir Arthur Bliss, Master of the Queen's Music. Sir Arthur died on 27 March 1975 and was replaced in July 1975 by distinguished choral musician and current president Sir David Willcocks, then famous for his work as the director of music at King's College, Cambridge, who had recently been appointed director of the Royal College of Music.
The first Bath Bach Festival, in October 1950, commemorated the bicentenary of the eponymous composer's death and was a great success. A further seven festivals were held at approximately four-year intervals until 1982 but the eighth was a financial disaster and indicated the end of an era. However, in 1995 the Bath Bach Festival tradition was revived by Elizabeth Bates, Cuthbert Bates' daughter, and periodic Bach Festivals continued in Bath under her direction until October 2010. A new mini-Bath Bachfest was initiated in February 2012, sponsored by the Bath Mozartfest[12] Charitable Trust.[13]
Unaccompanied pieces were not neglected. There were frequent recitals and serenade concerts in which a wide field of music was explored from the sixteenth century school to the present day.
The next decade 1980–1990
The City of Bath Bach Choir had planned to appoint Denys Darlow to replace Cuthbert Bates on his retirement. He had played the harpsichord continuo at a number of Bath Bach Festivals in the preceding years, was well known to the choir and sympathised with its aims. However, after the latter's unexpected death and in recognition of Bates's long and distinguished service, Sir David Willcocks conducted the July 1980 performance of Bach's Mass in B minor as a tribute and memorial. Darlow took over thereafter and at the time of his appointment was a senior professor at the Royal College of Music, Director of Music at St George's Church, Hanover Square, London, and had for many years been director of the Tilford Bach Festival[14][15] and London Handel Festival.[16]
The choir spent the next ten years moving forward from the Bach Festival legacy and building on its reputation for exploring works in the choral canon. Stephen Dodgson's Te Deum was performed in October 1982 as a part of the last Bach Festival at which the choir sung. Beethoven's Missa Solemnis was performed in 1982, the last time this work was heard in Bath. The choir continued to perform two major orchestral concerts each year as well as a 'lighter' summer concert and three seasonal performances of Carols by Candlelight. In April 1986 the choir gave the first performance of Denys Darlow's own Requiem, dedicated to the City of Bath Bach Choir itself.
From 1988 onwards, summer concerts were moved from Bath Abbey to the Michael Tippett Centre at Bath Spa University. In 1988 and 1989 these were conducted by Marcus Sealy, who joined the choir in January 1982 as Accompanist and Deputy Musical Director and remains in that post today. From 1987 to 1989 the carols concerts were conducted by Cuthbert's daughter, Elizabeth and attracted steadily increasing audiences. Denys Darlow died on 24 February 2015 aged 94.[17]
Modern era: 1990–present
On 8 January 1990 Nigel Perrin took on the role of Director of Music for the City of Bath Bach Choir. As one of The King's Singers, Perrin had sung all over the world with artists such as Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Cliff Richard. Appointing a singer as musical director was a break from tradition but Perrin[18] brought insight into the mechanics and techniques of choral singing and a determination to lead the choir to even higher professional standards. His first concert was Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 in Bath Abbey in April 1990. In 2023, Benedict Collins Rice was appointed music director.
The choir continues to explore new and unusual works and notably gave a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus and Diana Burrell's Benedicam Dominum, a work which enabled Marcus Sealy to demonstrate the magnificent new Klais organ in Bath Abbey. The choir performed Requiem Aeternam by Jonathan Lloyd in the presence of the composer, which necessitated synchronising with a pre-recorded backing track. More recently, performance of two 'cross-over' works by Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man and Requiem – stretched the boundaries of CBBC singers' experience.
Modernism does not mean that the choir has neglected its roots and it often returns to the music of J. S. Bach. In April 1997 the choir gave a performance of the Mass in B minor in Bath Abbey under the baton of its president, Sir David Willcocks, to mark its 50th anniversary celebrations and, more controversially, gave a semi-staged and critically acclaimed performance of the St John Passion in The Forum, Bath in April 2005, using lighting and moving images, and later as noted in the histogram of performances.
Over the years the choir has also travelled widely and developed relationships with singers in Bath's twin cities in Hungary, the Béla Viká Choir, and in Braunschweig[11][19] (Brunswick), Germany with the Cathedral Dom Chor; and with Les Bengalis de Liège in Liège, Belgium. Braunschweig was heavily bombed by the allies on the nights of 14 and 15 October 1944, which inflicted substantial damage to the Dom (cathedral), and many people died. In October 2004 the CBBC was invited to join the Dom Chor in a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in the presence of HM Ambassador to Germany, HE Sir Peter Torry. This concert, at the Dom, was a centrepiece of the city's commemoration and an act of remembrance and reconciliation. In 2009 the choir travelled to perform in Bach's own church, the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, and in October 2011 they toured to Rome, performing in both La Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone, and The Venerable English College (colloquially referred to as English College, Rome), founded in 1579 by William Allen.
Carols by Candlelight concerts routinely occur in December each year, which from 2001 – 2012 included a performance by the choir's junior section, formed and led by Nigel Perrin and sponsored by the CBBC for more than a decade, 'to sow a seed for what may be to come in the future'. The City of Bath Bach Junior Choir enabled children from 8–15 years to sing together and learn basic musical techniques and at its height it had some 50 or more singers. In 2008 Simon Carr-Minns took the baton from Perrin, who handed it to Adrienne Hale in 2009, and two years later it passed Jamie Knights. The children, in distinctive purple T-shirts, gave regular charity performances. They helped to raise £4,200 for the Royal United Hospital in Bath and, in 2010, raised money for the 'Afghan Heroes Charity' through their vocals and accompanying video[20] for Forever Young – a Song For Wootton Bassett, written by Alan Pettifer and commissioned as a tribute to the people of Royal Wootton Bassett for their support of UK Armed Forces repatriation. With numbers dwindling as more and more opportunities for choral work were being offered to local children, the decision was taken to wind up the programme, and they gave their final performance in 2012. However, an opportunity for talented young musicians is still provided as an interlude during the Carol concerts, principally performed by exceptional music students from Wells Cathedral School.
The Bath Bach Choir's biggest recent challenge – supported by the combined forces of Exeter Festival Chorus[21] and The Wellensian Consort[22]– was arguably staging two performances of The Saint John Passion, an exceptionally demanding contemporary piece composed by Sir James MacMillan and sung in his presence.[23] Performances took place at Wells Cathedral and then Exeter Cathedral in March 2013, with soloist Mark Stone[24] as Christus, and Alexander Hohenthal leading the Southern Sinfonia.[25] The baroque performance of Handel' Messiah (Handel),[26] accompanied by Music for Awhile, with leader Margaret Faultless, a musician within the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, went down especially well with the packed audience.[27] Consequent upon Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020, and UK Government restrictions on live concerts, the choir produced three 'virtual performances' of singular works. The choir returned to Bath Abbey for a live concert, socially distanced, presented to a restricted but, judging by the request for an encore, most appreciative audience of 150 people on 3 July 2021.
Songs of Farewell, Greater Love, Requiem: Frederick Long bass, Harry Hampson-Gilbert treble, Sebastien H. McHugh treble, Marcus Sealy organ & piano, Benedict Collins Rice Musical Director.
Elijah: Matthew Brook Elijah, Laura Lolita Perešivana soprano, Lotte Betts-Dean mezzo-soprano, James Way Tenor, Marcus Sealy organ continuo, Southern Sinfonia – Simon Chalk artistic director, Benedict Collins Rice Musical Director.
O viridissima virga, Quatre Motets, Mass for Double Choir, Sainte-Chapelle, Alleluia.
St Mary’s Church, Bathwick
January 2023
Benedict Collins Rice Appointed as Director of Music
21/22/23 Dec 2022
Various
Carols by Candlelight – 75th Season: Jointly conducted by Nigel Perrin and Benedict Collins Rice on transfer of Musical Directorship. Accompanist Marcus Sealy. Guest Soloist Katie Bunney, Saxophone, a Headley Trust Scholar at the Royal College of Music. Programme included second performance of The Bach Choir annual Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition joint winner Matt Finch, With Wondering Awe, and Mykola Leontovych arr Benedict Collins Rice Carol of the Bells.
Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Mhairi Lawson soprano, David Allsopp counter-tenor, Hugo Hymas tenor, Frederick Long bass-baritone. Marcus Sealy organ continuo. Nigel Perrin conductor.
Vespers of 1610I Fagiolini: Robert Hollingworth continuo, Zoe Brookshaw and Rebecca Lea soprano, Hugo Hymas and Christopher Fitzgerald Lombard tenor, Sam Gilliatt and Greg Skidmore baritone; English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble: Conor Hastings and Helen Roberts Cornetto, Emily White, Tom Lees, Adrian France Sackbut; Birmingham Musical and Amicable Society: Miki Takahashi, Christi Park, Wendi Kelly, Kate Fawcett, En-Ming Lin. Musical Director Nigel Perrin.
Petite messe solennelle. Soprano Johanna Harrison-Oram, Mezzo-soprano Cassandra Dalby, Tenor Chris Why, Baritone Samuel Harrison-Oram, Piano Marcus Sealy, Harmonium Mark Wood.
Mid Summer Vespers. O Virgo Splendens, Priidite, poklonimsia, Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Ghospoda, Bogoroditse Devo, O nata lux de lumine, If Ye Love Me, Parce mihi, Domine, Duo Seraphim, Magnificat, Cantique de Jean Racine, Evening Prayer, Agnus Dei. Encore: Vzbrannoy voyevode. Cassandra Dalby mezzo-soprano. Katie Bunney saxophone. Organ Huw Williams.
Eriskay Love Lilt – Virtual Bath Bach Choir featuring Chris Bruerton of The King's Singers. Christopher Bruerton baritone, Nigel Perrin counter-tenor, Marcus Sealy piano.
Carols by Candlelight – 73rd Season: Ukrainian Bell Carol, Hail, Star of the se most radiant, Lullaby, my sweet little baby, Ich steh an deiner Krippen heir, See the star, O Radiant Dawn, (audience) God rest you merry, gentleman, O little town of Bethlehem, O little town of Hackensack, Ding Dong! Merrily on high, o beatum et sacrosanctum diem, For him all stars have shone, Mary had a baby, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Coventry Carol, The Bees, Mary's boy child, (audience) Child in a manger, Merry Christmas Jazz, Deck the Halls, Three-minute Messiah, Lux Aurumque, Ring the Bells. The Year 5 Choir of St Andrew's Church School, Bath, Maria Foster; Peasedown St John Primary School Choir, Myra Barretto; St Julian's and Shoscombe Church Schools, Kerin Adam; Eliza Haskins recorder, Katie Bunney saxophone, Piano Marcus Sealy.
Before the ending of the day. Nunc Dimittis, Nine otpushchayeshi, Partce mihi, Domine, In Manus Tuas, Cantus Missae – Mass for double choir in E Flat op 109, Living Voices, Abendlied, Sure On This Shining Light, Sonata in E flat, The Silver Swan, The Long Day Closes, Lay a Garland, Evening Prayer. Katie Bunney saxophone, Keyboard Marcus Sealy.
Motetten and Organ. Komm, Jesu, komm (BWV 299), Toccata in the Dorian mode (BWV 538), Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 538), Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV) 225, Sonatina from Cantata 106, Sinfonia from Cantata 29, Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230. Organ Marcus Sealy. Cello Continuo Rhiannon Evans.
Gloria, Suite from Water Music, Dixit Dominus. Soloists Kirsty Hopkins soprano, Sophie Gallagher soprano, David Hurley counter-tenor. Music for Awhile, Margaret Faultless leader. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo.
Cordero de Dios, The Beatitudes, Messa di Requiem, Requiem: Kyrie: Close Now Thine Eyes, Song for Athene, In Remembrance, Cloudburst. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo.
70th Anniversary Celebration Concert. Magnificat (Bach) in D, Great Mass in C minor, K. 427. Soloists Verity Wingate soprano, Anna Sideris soprano, Stephen Harvey counter-tenor, Kieran White tenor, Julien van Mellaerts bass. Southern Sinfonia, Richard Smith leader. Marcus Sealy Organ Continuo.
Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Mhairi Lawson soprano, Rupert Enticknap counter-tenor, Nathan Vale tenor, Matthew Brook bass.
Vespers and Preludes in Harmony with Exeter Festival Chorus. All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff) Vespers 1919. Rachmaninov Preludes. As below with one changed soloist. Soloists Nina Alupii-Morton, Kieran White. Peter Donohoe (pianist). Conductors Nigel Perrin and Peter Adcock.
Vespers and Preludes in Harmony with Exeter Festival Chorus. All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff) Vespers 1919. Rachmaninov Preludes opus 23: no 3 in D minor tempo di menuet, no 7 in C minor allege, no 10 in G flat major, no 8 in A flat major allegro vivace, no 13 in D flat major grave, no 4 in D major andante cantabile, no 10 in B minor lento, no 11 in B major allegretto, no 8 in A minor vive, no 6 in E flat major andante, no 1 in C major allegro. Soloists Nina Alupii-Morton, Peter Drury. Peter Donohoe (pianist). Conductors Nigel Perrin and Peter Adcock.
Carols by Candlelight – 69th Season. A child is born in Bethlehem, Samuel Scheidt arr Willcocks; Sussex carol, English trad arr Willcocks; Joseph and the Angel, Haflidi Hallgrimmson; O little one sweet, J S Bach; In dulci jubilo, Old German carol arr Rutter; Audience: O come, O come, Emanuel, arr Willcocks; Audience: Good King Wenceslas, Piae Cantiones arr Reginald Jaques; Out of your sleep, Richard Rodney Bennett; The Oxen,Thomas Hardy/Ian Pillow; This Glorious Day, Mary George/Bernard Wight; In excelsis, Jonathan Willcocks; Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, English trad arr Willcocks; Away in a manger, Kirkpatrick arr Harker; I wonder as I wander, Appalachian carol arr Rutter; Lord of the dance, Shaker song arr Willcocks; Audience: Joy to the World, arr Herbert Sumsion; Audience: Birthday Carol, words & music David Willcocks; Deck the halls, arr James McKelvy; Jingle bells!, J.Pierpont arr Robin Benton; I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, Irving Berlin arr JB; In the Christmas Mood, Garland & Razaf arr Walker/Wight; 12 days of Christmas, trad arr John Rutter.
Lux Aeterna, Requiem, Motets, Cantate Domino, Agnus Dei, Ave verum corpus, God shall wipe away all ters, Exsultate Jubilate; When David heard that Absalom was slain; Valiant for Truth. Soprano Verity Wingate, New Bristol Sinfonia.
Ave verum corpus Stabat Mater, Agnus Dei (Armed Man); Cordero de Dios (from Misa Flamenca), Esto les Digo; Blazhenni yazhe izbral, Izhe kherumvimy, Dostoyno est, Sviati Bozhe; Otche Nash; Requiem; O quam gloriosum; Valiant for Truth; Requiem; Mass in RE.
St Matthew Passion. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless; Nathan Vale Evangelist, Adrian Powter Jesus, Mhairi Lawson soprano, Rupert Enticknap alto Alexander Robin Baker bass.
Futility, Funeral Sentences, From Darkness to Light, When David heard, Lacrymosa: Do not stand at my grave and weep, from Eternal Light: A Requiem, Chichester Psalms, O clap your hands (Vaughan Williams). Supported by Wells Cathedral School Brass Percussion Ensemble, Kate Pearson – Harp and Marcus Sealy Organ, Daniel Robson and Lydia Ward.
Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore 1853); Gerusalem (I Lombardi 1843); Brindisi (La Traviata1853); Toreador (Carmen 1874); O mio babbino caro Gianni Schicchi 1918 – Verity Wingate; Au fond du temple saint, Les Pecheurs de Perles 1863 – Kieran White & Robert Clark; Chorus of peasant girls (Eugene Onegin 1878); Waltz scene (Eugene Onegin 1878); Villagers' Chorus (Guillaume Tell 1829); La ci darem la mano – (Don Giovanni 1787) (Verity Wingate & Robert Clark); Arie des Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte 1790) – Kieran White; Huntsman's chorus (Der Freischütz 1821); Victoria, Victoria! (Der Freischütz 1821); Lieben, Hassen, Hoffen, Zagen (Ariadne auf Naxos 1916) – Robert Clark; Medley from The Phantom of the Opera 1986; Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco 1841).
Mass. Entrée de l'Office – Locus iste. Offertoire – Laudate Dominum. Communion – Ave verum corpus. Sortie de la Messe Confortare.
Aix Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix en Provence
26 Oct 2013
George Dyson, William H Harris, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Healey Willan, J. S. Bach, Gabriel Faure, Wolfgang Mozart, J. S. Bach, Benjamin Britten, John Ireland, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Anton Bruckner
Four Anthems sung at the Coronation of Elizabeth II – 1953: Confortare – Be strong and of a good courage, Let my prayer come up into thy presence, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, O Lord, our Governour. Jesu, meine Freude: Jesu, meine Freude, Es ist nun nichts, Unter deinem Schirmen, Trotz dem alten Drachen, Ihr aber seid nicht fleischlich, Weicht, ihr trauergeister. Entente Cordiale – Sung with Aix Chorale Darius Milhaud Choir Conductor – Patrick Rinaldi: Cantique de Jean Racine, Ave verum corpus, Jesus bleibet meine Freude. Organ Interlude Marcus Sealy Cavatina Toccata in D minor. John Ireland, Gaston Bélier. Choral Dances from Gloriana (less nos 4 and 5). A Garland for the Queen: The Hills, Silence and Music. Mass in E minor: Gloria.
Aix Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix en Provence
22 Jun 2013
A Garland for The Queen – Various
The Triumphs of Oriana 1601: John Bennett: All creatures now are merry-minded; Robert Jones: Fair Orianna seeking to wink at folly; Thomas Weelkes: As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending; Thomas Morley: Hard by a crystal fountain. Music from the Coronation of Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953: Herbert Howells: Behold O God Our Defender; William Harris: Let my prayer come up into Thy presence; SS Wesley: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace; George Dyson: Confortare: Be strong and of good courage; Healy Willan: O Lord Our Governor in Benjamin Britten's centenary year: Choral Dances from Gloriana Op 53; The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard; Old Joe has gone fishing from Peter Grimes Op 33; Selections from Friday Afternoon Op 7 A Garland for the Queen 1953: Bliss: Aubade for a Coronation Morning; Bax: What is it like to be young and fair?; Vaughan Williams: Silence and Music; Ireland: The Hills; Tippett: Dance, Clarion Air.
St John Passion – Christus Mark Stone (baritone): City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, Wellensian Consort, Southern Sinfonia, Leader Alexander Hohenthal.
St John Passion – Christus Mark Stone (baritone): City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, Wellensian Consort, Southern Sinfonia, Leader Alexander Hohenthal. In the presence of the composer James MacMillan.
Mass in B minor. Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile – Leader Margaret Faultless. Soprano Lucy Hall, Alto William Purefoy, Tenor James Geer, Bass Stephen Varcoe.
Laudate Domninum; Totus Tuus Op 60; Come Sunday (arr John Høybye); Ave Verum Corpus; Locus iste; Quando Corpus, Lux Aurumque, Cantate Donini, Five Negro Spirituals (from Child of our Time).
Five Negro Spirituals (from Child of our Time); Songs by Roald Dahl (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with Jamie Knights, Piano, Adrienne Hale Conducting); Pacific Song (with Marcus Sealy, Piano); Sacred Concert (Andy Williamson – saxes, Pete Judge – trumpet, Robin Holloway – piano, Al Swainger – double bass, Andy Hague – drums).
Elijah: Roderick Williams Elijah, Mary Plazas soprano, Wendy Dawn Thompson Mezzo-soprano, Justin Lavender Tenor, Sophie Edwards Youth, Marcus Sealy Organ, The Wessex Sinfonia – Leader Adrian Eales, Nigel Perrin Musical Director.
An Evening with Ralph Vaughan Williams and Friends. Works by Wood, Parry, Stanford, Holst, Bruch, Ravel, Finzi and Vaughan Williams to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Vaughan Williams's death.
Overture to "The Barber of Seville", Stabat Mater. Coronation Mass K 317. Soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers; Contralto Vanessa Williamson; Tenor Paul Badley; Bass Stephen Foulkes. Wessex Sinfonia Leader Adrian Eales.
St John Passion Evangelist Philip Salmon, Christus Charles Stewart, Soprano Helen Kucharek, Counter-tenor Slava Kagan-Paley, Bass/Pilate James Ottaway.
Israel in Egypt. Sopranos Lorraine Rogers, Mona Julsrud, Counter-tenor Andrew Watts, Tenor Paul Agnew, Bass Ashley Thorburn, Edward Caswell. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens.
Introduction and Allegro. Donna nobis pacem. Invocation to Music. Soprano Lorna Anderson, Tenor Charles Daniels, Bass Brian Rayner Cook. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens.
Mass in A Major. Mass in G Minor. Double Violin Concerto. Soprano Caroline Ashton, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Paul Sutton, Bass Martin Johnson. Tilford Festival Orchestra.
Prelude & Fugue in C BWV547. Missa Brevis. Solemn Vespers. Soprano Elizabeth Chard, Alto Angus Davidson, Tenor Paul Sutton, Bass Martin Johnson. Organ Marcus Sealy.
Missa Brevis in C (K258), Requiem (World Premier). Soprano Gillian Fisher, Helen Kucharek, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Ian Partridge, Bass Noel Mann. Tilford Festival Orchestra.
St. Matthew Passion. Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Simon Birchall, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Alto Katherine Denley, Tenor Andrew King, Bass Stephen Varcoe. Tilford Festival Orchestra.
Requiem. King David (Narrator: Richard Stilgoe). Soprano Elizabeth Chard, Contralto Annabel Hunt, Tenor Charles Daniels, Baritone Martin Johnson. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens.
Christmas Oratorio. Evangelist William Kendall, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Catherine Denley, Tenor Andrew King, Bass Brian Kay. Tilford Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens.
Psalm 48 Great is the Lord, Psalm 29 Give unto the Lord, Missa Brevis. Salve Regina. Exultate. Surrexit Hodie. Baritone Martin Johnson. Organ Marcus Sealy.
Te Deum KV 141. Motet: In Sanae et Vanae Curiae. Psalm 96:115 Ascribe unto the Lord. Blessed City, Heavenly Salem. Cortège et Litanie. Hymn to St. Cecilia.
Requiem KV 626, Mass in E Flat Minor D950. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenors Adrian Thompson, John Kinglsey-Smith, Bass Simon Birchall. Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra, Leader Peter Stevens.
Magnificat. Suite No 4 in D. Te Deum (World Premier). Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Simon Gay, Tenor Ian Partridge, Baritone Stephen Varcoe.Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra.
Cantata No 215 Preise dein Glucke. Suite No 3 in D. Cantata No 206 Schleicht, spielende Wellen. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor Ian Partridge, Bass Bryan Rayner-Cook.Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra.
St Matthew Passion. Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Stephen Varcoe, Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Stephen Roberts. Tilford Bach Festival Orchestra.
Missa Solemnis in D. Soprano Susan Bingemann, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, Bass David Thomas. Bristol Sinfonia Orchestra, Leader Colin Sauer.
Music for Praise and Reflection, Te Deum, Requiem. Soprano Gillian Fisher, Contralto Cherith Milburn-Fryer, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Simon Birchall. Bristol Sinfonia, Leader Colin Sauer.
Mass in B minor Under Denys Darlow as the choir's director of music. Soprano Wendy Eathorne, Contralto Elizabeth Stokes, Tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, Bass Michael Rippon. Oxford Pro Musical Orchestra. Harpsichord Gerald Gifford. Organ Richard Coulson.
Requiem, Symphony no 32 in G Major K 318, Harmonie-Messe. Soprano Fiona Dobie, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Richard Jackson, Bass Michael Goldthorpe. c Denys Darlow.
The choir's founder, Cuthbert Bates, died unexpectedly. His son and daughter, Richard and Elizabeth Bates, organised a memorial concert for him on 18 June, and the choir dedicated the concert on 12 July 1980 (which was to have been Cuthbert's last concert as conductor) to his memory. The conductor was the choir's president, Sir David Willcocks. Denys Darlow succeeded as musical director.
Stabat Mater. Let God Arise! Dixit Dominus. Gloria RV 589. Soprano Fiona Dobie, Contralto Cherith Millburn-Fryer, Tenor Adrian Thompson, Bass Anthony Smith.
Palestrina, Byrd, Bousignac, Duruflé, Vaughan Williams
Assumpta est Maria. Christe quit Lux es et Dies. Jubilate Deo. Ubi Caritas. Mass in G minor.Soprano Janice Baldwin, Contralto Barbara Wright, Tenor Stephen Richards, Baritone Roy Cook.
St. John Passion Evangelist Brian Burrows, Christus Nigel Wickens, Soprano Helen Greener, Contralto Shirley Minty, Tenor John Elwes, Bass Brian Rayner Cook.
St. John Passion Evangelist Rogers Covey Crump, Christus Michael George, Soprano Susan Campbell, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor John Kingsley Smith, Bass Stephen Roberts.
Cantata No 106. Brandenburg Concerto No 6. Cantata No 6. Magnificat in D Soprano Angela Beale, Susan Campbell, Contralto Doreen Walker, Tenor John Kingsley Smith, Bass Stephen Roberts.
St Matthew Passion Evangelist David Johnston, Christus Brian Ryner Cook, Soprano Angela Beale, Contralto Norma Proctor, Tenor Neil Jenkins, Bass Christopher Keyte.
Symphony No 41 in C (KV551) Jupiter Symphony. Mass in C Minor (KV427) Soprano Sally Le Sage, Mezzo-soprano Caroline Friend, Tenor Winford Evans, Bass Glyn Davenport.
Der 136 Psalm. Three instrumental canzonas: Sonata 13 (1615), Canzone for 2 choirs (1597), Canzone for 3 choirs (1615). Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn from Orgelbüchlein. Messa Concertata.
St John Passion Evangelist Rogers Covey-Crump, Christus Michael George, Soprano Celia Jeffreys, Contralto Annabel Hunt, Tenor Neil Mackie, Bass Stephen Roberts.
Concerto Grosso in E minor, Mass in F, De Profundis, Chandos Anthem No 11a 'Let God Arise' [Played and sung from manuscript copies by kind courtesy of David Willcocks Esq. First performance in Bath.]
Missa Brevis. Ave Maria. Sing to the Lord a joyful song. Master Tallis' Testament. Ave Maris Stella from Vespers of 1610. Magnificat for 3 choirs. Vigilante. Contrapuncti 1. 12 & 18 from the Art of Fugue. O Vos Omnes. Festival Te Deum. Plebs Angelica.
St Matthew Passion Evangelist Ian Partridge, Christus Michael Rippon, Soprano Sheila Armstrong, Contralto Margaret Cable, Tenor Gerald English, Bass John Barlow.
Serenade Concert, Exsurge Domine, O Lord the maker of all things, Songs of Springtime, Tui sunt coeli, Crucifixus, Jubelate deo, Brazilian Psalm, Four Folk Songs.
Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Turn our Captivity, Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles, Jesus and the Traders, Thy Servant is downcast, In Jejunio et fletu, O Lord, arise into thy resting place, Super Flumina Babylonis, Mass in G minor. Sopran Ruth Vincent-Silk, Contralto Melani Moore, Tenor Antony Corfe, Bass William Coltart.
Excerpt from the Mass Confitebor Tibi Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Compline Hymn for 5 Voices Christe qui lux es et dies, O Praise the Lord, all ye heathen, Lord, let me know mine end, Jesu, Priceless Treasure, Nunc dimittis, Coronation Te Deum.
Requiem Soprano Elizabeth Robson Elizabeth Howlett (Robson), Helen Watts, Tenor Ronald Dowd, Bass Trevor Anthony. Festival Orchestra Leader Robert Masters. As part of The Bath Festival 1964.
St. John Passion Evangelist Wilfred Brown, Christus John Shirley-Quirk, Soprano Noelle Barker, Contralto Elizabeth Holden, Tenor David Price, Bass Graham Sorrel.
Vespers of 1610. Eileen Poulter, Anne Dowdall, sopranos; Jean Allister, contralto; Wilfred Brown, Duncan Robertson, tenors; Richard Standen, bass. Organ continuo Roy Jesson. Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39 (d Yehudi Menuhin) Ann Dowdall, soprano; Jean Allister, contralto; Richard Standen, bass; Roy Jesson, Harpsichord continuo; Festival Orchestra, Leader Robert Masters.
Mass in B minor Sopran Eileen Poulter, Contralto Helen Watts, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Hervey Alan, Harpsichord Continuo Thornton Lofthouse, Organ Ernst Maynard.
St Matthew Passion William Herbert, Narrator; Richard Standen, Christus; Heather Harper, soprano; Helen McKinnon, contralto; Wilfred Brown, tenor; Gordon Clinton, bass. Dr Thornton Lofthouse, Harpsichord Continuo; Ernest Maynard, Organ. The Jacques Orchestra.
Mass in B minor. The Bath Festival 1958. A section of The London Symphony Orchestra, Leader Hugh Maguire. Jennifer Vyvyan soprano, Pamela Bowden contralto, David Galliver[33] tenor, Richard Standen[34] bass. Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse,[35] Organist Ernst Maynard.
Christmas Oratorio Soprano Joan Fullerton, Contralto Jean Allister, Tenor David Price, Bass John Carol Case. Organ Ernst Maynard. The Paragon Orchestra Leader Frederick Lunnon.
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. The Hundredth Psalm (c. R. Vaughan Williams). The Voice out of the Whirlwind. Sancta Civitas. Benedict. Jennifer Vyvyan, soprano; David Price, tenor; John Cameron, bass. Ernest Maynard, organ. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Leader Steven Staryk.
St Matthew Passion Narrator Eric Greene, Christus Norman Walker, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor David Galliver, Bass Richard Standen. Assisted by a choir of 60 from The City of Bath Boys' and Girls' Schools. London Symphony Orchestra Leader Granville Jones.
St. John Passion Narrator Eric Greene, Christus Norman Walker, Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor David Galliver, Bass Richard Standen. London Symphony Orchestra Leader Granville Jones.
Requiem Symphony no 7 in A major. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Gladys Ripley, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Gordon Clinton. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Thomas Matthews.
Mass in B minor. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor Eric Green, Bass Trevor Anthony, Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse, Organ Ernst Maynard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Thomas Matthews.
Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Motet in five parts Jubilate Dei, From the Mass Confitebor Tibi Gloria in excess Dei, Motet for double choir A Domino fact set stud, Brazilian Psalm for full chorus of mixed voices O praise ye the Lord, Canticle for 8 voices Nunc dimities, Sing ye to the Lord.
A German Requiem. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Baritone Bruce Boyce, Organ Ernest Maynard, Harpsichord continuo Michael Allard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton.
Christmas OratorioSoprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Anne Wood, Tenor Richard Lewis, Bass Richard Standen, Continuo John Churchill, Organ Ernst Maynard.
Unaccompanied Serenade Concert. Missa Papae Marcelli, Christe qui lux es et dies, O Lord the maker of all thing. O Praise The Lord All Ye Heathen, Three chorales from the Motet, Jesu Priceless Treasure, Thy Servant is Downcast, Mass in G minor. Soprano Dorothy Langmain, Contralto Kathleen Whittome, Tenor Cecil Wigley, Bass George Blackford (of the Tudor Singers).
Mass in B minor Soprano Isobel Baillie, Contralto Astra Desmond, Tenor Eric Greene, Bass Norman Walker. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. The London Symphony Orchestra.
St John Passion Narrator Eric Greene tenor, Christus Henry Cummings bass, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Ferrier, Tenor Alfred Hepworth, Bass Wiliam Parsons. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard.
St Matthew Passion Narrator Eric Greene tenor, Christus Henry Cummings bass, Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Kathleen Ferrier, Tenor Alfred Hepworth, Bass Wiliam Parsons. Continuo Dr. Charles Thornton Lofthouse, Organist Ernest Maynard. Seats: Nave 11/6 pence. Others 6/-.
St Matthew Passion. Narrator Eric Green, Christus William Parsons. Soprano Mary Linde, Contralto Grace Bodey, Tenor Rene Holmes, Bass Laurance Holmes. The Boyd Neel Orchestra.
Carols by Candlelight 1st Season. On Christmas night all Christians sing, Sussex Carol arr Vaughan Williams; This is the truth sent from above, Herfordshire Carol arr Vaughan Williams; God rest you merry, Gentleman London Carol (Traditional); I saw three ships come sailing in, English Folk Carol (Traditional); Behoulde a sely tender babe, from Chappell's "Popular Music of the Olden Time". Words by Blessed Robert Southwell (1560–1593); Bethlehem Juda, "twas there on a Morn", Scottish Melody; Sweet was the song the Virgin sang, from William Ballet's Lute Book c1600; The holly and the ivy, Traditional; Coventry Carol, from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors 15th century; Good King Wenceslas, from Pia Cantiones; I sing of a maiden, Martin Shaw (composer); Patapan, Old Burgundian Carol; The Virgin's Cradle Hymn, Edmund Rubbra; King Herod and the cock, Worcestershire Carol, arr Cecil Sharp; In dulci jubilo, Robert Lucas de Pearsall German Melody; Hodie Christus natus est, Palestrina; Adam lay ybounden, Peter Warlock; Mantle of Blue, Frank Bridge; The Blue Cloak, Dora Brown; Lullay my liking, Gustav Holst; Bell Carol, Old French; Cradle Song, Armstrong Gibbs; The first Nowell, Traditional.
A choir is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words is the music performed by the ensemble. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which spans from the medieval era to the present, or popular music repertoire. Most choirs are led by a conductor, who leads the performances with arm, hand, and facial gestures.
St Dunstan's, Mayfield in Mayfield, East Sussex, was founded in 960 CE by St Dunstan, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. The church is a listed building. As of 2023, the vicar was Fr Michael Asquith.
Sir John Milford Rutter is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, mainly of choral music.
Sir Stephen John Cleobury was an English organist and music director. He worked with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, where he served as music director from 1982 to 2019, and with the BBC Singers.
Sir David Valentine Willcocks, was a British choral conductor, organist, composer and music administrator. He was particularly well known for his association with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, which he directed from 1957 to 1974, making frequent broadcasts and recordings. Several of the descants and carol arrangements he wrote for the annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols were published in the series of books Carols for Choirs which he edited along with Reginald Jacques and John Rutter. He was also director of the Royal College of Music in London.
John Stanton Shirley-Quirk CBE was an English bass-baritone. A member of the English Opera Group from 1964 to 1976, he gave premiere performances of several operatic and vocal works by Benjamin Britten, recording these and other works under the composer's direction. He also sang and recorded a wide range of works by other composers, ranging from Handel through Tchaikovsky to Henze.
Crouch End Festival Chorus (CEFC) is a symphonic choir based in north London which performs in a range of musical styles, including traditional choral repertoire, contemporary classical, rock, pop and film music.
Saint Peter's Singers (SPS) is a chamber choir associated with Leeds Minster, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England that celebrated during the Season 2017/2018 the fortieth anniversary of the choir's formation by Harry Fearnley in 1977. An anniversary concert took place at Leeds Minster on Sunday 25 June 2017 with the National Festival Orchestra and soloists Kristina James, Joanna Gamble, Paul Dutton and Quentin Brown. Further anniversary year events included Bach Cantatas and Music for Christmas at Fulneck Church in August and December respectively, Handel Coronation Anthems at Holy Trinity, Boar Lane as part of the Leeds Handel Festival in September and a tour of East Anglia in October. In November at Leeds Town Hall, the Singers participated in Herbert Howells's masterpiece Hymnus Paradisi with Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and Leeds College of Music Chorale under the direction of Dr David Hill with the Orchestra of Opera North. 2018 began with a concert of Sacred Choral Masterworks at Leeds Town Hall in February and Bach's Mass in B minor at Leeds Minster on Good Friday 2018 in memory of long-serving member Jan Holdstock. The final concert of the current season takes place at Leeds Minster on Sunday 24 June at Leeds Minster at 5.30. At this event will be presented the first performance of a new work from composer Philip Moore commissioned for the Singers' 40th anniversary – the motet Tu es Petrus – along with music by E W Naylor, Arvo Part, Sir Hubert Parry, Judith Bingham and Maurice Durufle.
The Philharmonia Chorus is an independent self-governing symphony chorus based in London, UK. Since its foundation in 1957 the Chorus has given over 900 concerts and made over 100 recordings. The Chorus Master is Gavin Carr.
The Bach Choir is a large independent musical organisation founded in London, England in 1876 to give the first performance of J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor in Britain.
Derby Choral Union is one of the UK’s longest standing choral societies having been formed in 1866. The choir was established to perform choral music of the highest quality, a tradition it strives to maintain to this day. The repertoire includes traditional choral works as well as music by 20th-century and more contemporary composers. Derby Choral Union is a registered charity and an independent choral society. It promotes concerts in Derby, England, and the surrounding district, and has over 100 active members.
Sheffield Bach Society was founded in 1950 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of J S Bach in Leipzig, and to bring the music of Bach to Sheffield audiences. Its current conductor is Philip Collin, who has been the conductor since September 2023.
The Cape Town Philharmonia Choir is a South African choir based in Cape Town, South Africa. The choir currently consists of 150 amateur singers, directed by Richard Haigh.
The Toronto Choral Society was founded in 1845. Music was a popular form of entertainment for a rapidly growing and prosperous population, so a group of citizens formed a choral society in order to give concerts and foster the development of the local musical community. F.W. Barron, the headmaster of Upper Canada College, became the choir's first president, and James P. Clarke, organist at St. James Cathedral, was its first conductor.
Andrew Morris is a British conductor, organist, adjudicator and teacher based in Cambridge.
The English Chamber Choir is a choir based in England.
The Deutscher Chor London (DCL), also known as the German Choir of London, is a London-based amateur mixed-voice choir with a core repertoire of German classical choral pieces and a special interest in contemporary works. The choir was founded in 2009 by its current musical director Barbara Höfling.
The Choir of Somerville College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, is mixed voice and is led by a Director of Chapel Music, currently William Dawes, incumbent since 2017. In conjunction with the organ scholars, the choir is central to the musical life of the college and, in its present form, was founded by Francis Knights and Sam Bayliss in 2001. Previous Directors of Chapel Music include David Crown, who directed the choir between 2007 and 2015. The choir sings in Somerville College Chapel every Sunday during term and performs regularly in concerts organised by Somerville Music Society. The organ of the college chapel is a traditionally voiced instrument by Harrison & Harrison. Somerville offers up to five Choral Exhibitions each year to applicants reading any subject.
St Albans Bach Choir is an amateur choir based in the English cathedral city of St Albans. Since its founding in 1924 it has performed a wide range of choral music including but by no means limited to the great Bach masterpieces. It strives for the highest possible standards of music making, employing soloists of the highest calibre and professional orchestras. Performances are normally held in St Albans Cathedral. Currently, the Musical Director is Andrew Lucas, Master of the Music at the Cathedral.
Worcester Festival Choral Society (WFCS) is an independent, SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir of around 150 amateur singers that presents classical choral concerts at Worcester Cathedral, Worcester. The conductor is Samuel Hudson (Worcester Cathedral’s Director of Music) and the accompanist is Nicholas Freestone (Worcester Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music). The Chairman is Susan White. The President is The Lord Bishop of Worcester and Senior Vice President is The Dean of Worcester.
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