OXFORD BACH CHOIR REPERTOIRE

Although, as our name suggests, the music of J.S. Bach is very important to us, and we aim to perform one of his great choral works at least every three years, the Oxford Bach Choir aims to programme a wide range of choral music ranging from Bach’s day to the present. In the last three years, for example, we have performed Handel's "Messiah", the Requiems of Brahms, Fauré and Verdi, Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" and Rossini’s "Petite Messe Solennelle", the latter in its original scoring for two pianos and harmonium.

Ever since its foundation, the Choir has supported new music, giving early performances of works by Holst and Vaughan Williams, for example, and Nicholas Cleobury, who has worked with many eminent living composers, is keen to maintain this tradition. Under him, the Choir gave a second performance of Nicholas Maw's "Hymnus" (commissioned by the choir for our centenary in 1996) and made a studio recording of the piece which is now available on CD (see Recordings), as well as a second performance of "Vespers", by David Matthews, a piece commissioned by Huddersfield Choral Society.

In December 2001 the Choir gave the world premiere performance of "Two Rivers", a work specially composed for it by Martin Butler. Butler’s works include the popular "Dirty Beasts", a setting of poems by Roald Dahl, and an opera, "A Better Place", commissioned by English National Opera and premiered at the Coliseum in July 2001 to considerable acclaim.

OXFORD BACH CHOIR PERFORMANCE ARCHIVE

The Oxford Bach Choir boasts a hugely rich musical performance heritage with over 100 years of concert seasons - uninterupted by World Wars. Famous and celebrated composers such as Holst, Parry and Vaughan-Williams have conducted the Oxford Bach Choir for performances of their works. A notable example is Vaughan Williams conduting his Sea Symphony in May 1922.

Music performed by the Oxford Bach Choir since 1896
Compiled by Peter Gilliver

2000 ONWARDS