The 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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Howells: Stabat Mater, Te Deum & Sine Nomine
Benjamin Hulett, Alison Hill, The Bach Choir, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Hill
Classical - Released by Naxos on 1 Sep 2014
Gramophone Editor's Choice24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Howells: Missa Sabrinensis & Michael Fanfare
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Classical - Released by Hyperion on 1 May 2020
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Requiem
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The Colours Of Christmas
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Classical - Released by Decca (UMO) on 1 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The World of Christmas Carols
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Verdi: Requiem - Richard Blackford's Orchestration for Two Pianos, Organ and Percussion
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J.S. Bach: Matthäus Passion (Deluxe Edition)
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16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dyson: Choral Symphony
Classical - Released by Naxos on 10 Nov 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66: II. Dies irae: e. Recordare Jesu pie
London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Britten
Classical - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 20 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bach, J.S.: St. Matthew Passion
The Bach Choir, Thames Chamber Orchestra, Sir David Willcocks
Classical - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 Jan 1979
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Carols for Choirs (Mixed voices)
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Live at the British Library
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Messa da Requiem: IV. Sanctus (Arr. for Choir, 2 Pianos, Organ & Percussion by Richard Blackford)
Classical - Released by Nimbus Alliance on 24 Feb 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bob Chilcott: The Angry Planet
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16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Festliche Bläsermusik - Christmas Goes Brass
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Will Todd: Lights, Stories, Noise, Dreams, Love and Noodles
Classical - Released by Signum Records on 27 Mar 2020
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Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture: The Fair Melusina
Judith Howarth, Jean Rigby, The Bach Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, Francesco D' Avalos
Classical - Released by imp on 1 Jan 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Requiem: IIe. Rex tremendae (orchestrated for two pianos, organ & percussion by Richard Blackford) (Single)
Classical - Released by Nimbus Alliance on 24 Feb 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vaughan Williams: A Cambridge Mass (Live)
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Requiem: IV. Sanctus (orchestrated for two pianos, organ & percussion by Richard Blackford) (Single)
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Messa da Requiem: IIf. Rex tremendae (Arr. for Voice, Choir, 2 Pianos, Organ & Percussion by Richard Blackford)
Classical - Released by Nimbus Alliance on 24 Feb 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo