City of Bath Bach Choir
| City of Bath Bach Choir | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bath, Somerset, England |
| Founding | October 1946 |
| Members | about 100 |
| Music Director | Nigel Perrin |
| Website |
www |
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][3] 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,[4][5] scheduled for July of the same year, and effectively ended the first period of the choir's history.
Distinguished Handelian scholar Denys Darlow succeeded Cuthbert Bates as musical director in 1980 and remained in the post until 1990. He was followed by Nigel Perrin, who has been conducting the CBBC ever since. 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, thereafter entertaining the world throughout the 1970s as the highest voice (counter-tenor) of the irrepressible and ground-breaking vocal group.
The first president of the CBBC was Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams OM until 1958. Sir Arthur Bliss CH KCVO KT, then Master of the Queen's Music (Musik), took over as president in 1959, followed in 1975 by Sir David Willcocks CBE MC, until 2015. In 2016 David Hill (choral director), musical director of The Bach Choir was elected president of Bath Bach Choir, and Jonathan Willcocks a vice president.
Overview
The Bath Bach Choir, a member of the Cultural Forum for the Bath area,[6] 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.
Recent performances have included Sergei Rachmaninov, All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff), J.S Bach's St Matthew Passion and Mass in B minor, Mass in Blue by Will Todd, accompanied by the composer, Elis Pehkonen's Russian Requiem,[7] also in the composer's presence, works by Sir Karl Jenkins and Sir James MacMillan's CBE St John Passion who attend the concert performed in Wells Cathedral. The choir's 60th Anniversary Concert, in the Wiltshire Music Centre in 2007, comprised a newly commissioned work by Ed Hughes,[8] called Song for St Cecilia.
The choir regularly tours abroad: Karl Jenkins’ Requiem was performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 2008,[9] and concerts have taken place at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, Paris, and in Hungary, Belgium and Germany. In 2009 the choir was invited to perform in the famous Thomaskirche, where Johann Sebastian Bach was once choirmaster, Aix-en-Provence,[10] in 2013, and the Bath Bach Choir's most recent tour to Barcelona: Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família, Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona in 2015.
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 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 O.M. 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, Vaughn Williams was succeeded as president by Sir Arthur Bliss, CH, KCVO, KT, 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 CBE MC, 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[11] Charitable Trust.
In its first 35 years the City of Bath Bach Choir gave many performances of Bach's major choral works, including its signature work – the Mass in B minor – as well as the St Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio and numerous cantatas and motets. Other European composers were also represented, since choir policy has always been to explore lesser-known masterpieces in addition to popular choral repertoire. The choir gave one of the first modern performances of the Claudio Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, and other concerts included works by Bononcini, Francesco Cavalli, Antonio Vivaldi, Heinrich Schütz, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Camille Saint-Saëns, Gustav Holst, Anton Bruckner and William Walton. In October 1966, they gave one of the first UK performances of the Duruflé Requiem in Bath. Michael Tippett's oratorio A Child of our Time was sung under the composer's baton as a part of the Bath Festival in June 1968. During this period the works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, the choir's first president, also featured strongly.
From the beginning, the choir strove to obtain the highest quality professional support from professional orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Boyd Neel Orchestra, though during the 1970s rising costs necessitated a modification of this practice. Similar attention was also given to the selection and engagement of solo singers such as Kathleen Ferrier, Dame Janet Baker, Margaret Cable, Wendy Eathorne, Eric Greene and John Shirley-Quick. Meanwhile, notable conductors included Ralph Vaughan Williams, Josef Krips (who was so impressed by a performance of Haydn's The Creation with the London Symphony Orchestra that he repeated it at the Royal Festival Hall, London), Yehudi Menuhin, Basil Cameron, Reginald Jaques, Nadia Boulanger, Charles Groves, István Kertész and Sir David Willcocks.
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[12][13] and London Handel Festival.[14]
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. 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.
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[15] 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 the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 in Bath Abbey in April 1990.
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 the 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; in Braunschweig[10][16] (Brunswick), Germany with the Cathedral Dom Chor; and with Les Bengalis de Liége in Liege, 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 lives were lost. In October 2004 the CBBC was invited to join the Dom Chor in a performance of the Benjamin Britten 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[17] 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 program and they gave their final performance in 2012. However, an opportunity for talented young musicians is still provided as an interlude during the Carols 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[18] and The Wellensian Consort[19]– was arguably staging two performances of The Saint John Passion, an exceptionally demanding contemporary piece composed by Sir James MacMillan CBE and sung in his presence.[20][21] Performances took place at Wells Cathedral and then Exeter Cathedral in March 2013, with soloist Mark Stone[22] as Christus, and Alexander Hohenthal leading Southern Sinfonia.[23] The baroque performance of the Messiah (Handel),[24] 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.[25]
Performance chronology
| Date | Composer | Work | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2016 | Giovanni Antonio Rigatti, Rovetta, Monteverdi, Giovanni Legrenzi, Alessandro Grandi, | Venetian Vespers:Deus in Adjutorium; Dixit Dominus a8; Laudate pueri a4; Laetatus sum; Adoramus te, Christe; Nisi Dominus; Christe, adoramus te; Lauda Jerusalem; Ave maris stella; Magnificat a 6/7. Conductor Peter Leech. | The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College, Bath |
| 18 Jun 2016 | J.S. Bach | 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. | Bath Abbey |
| 19 Mar 2016 | Rachmaninov | 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. | Bath Abbey |
| 5 Mar 2016 | Rachmaninov | 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. | Exeter Cathedral |
| 16/17/18 Dec 2015 | Samuel Scheidt, David Willcocks, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, J S Bach, John Rutter, Reginald Jacques, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ian Pillow; Mary George, Bernard Wight, Jonathan Willcocks, John Kirkpatrick (pianist), Harker, Herbert Sumsion, James McKelvy, James Pierpont (musician), Robin Benton, Irving Berlin, Peter Garland (composer), Andy Razaf, Scott Walker (singer). | 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. | Pump Room, Bath |
| 07 Nov 2015 | James MacMillan, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Eric Whitacre, Vaughan Williams | 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 | Bath Abbey |
| 16/17 Oct 2015 | Karl Jenkins, Kinley Lange, Paco Peña, Tchaikovsky, Nikolay Kedrov, Sr., Gabriel Fauré, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Vaughan Williams, John Rutter, D L Bevenot | 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 | Barcelona: Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família, Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona |
| 4 Jul 2015 | Tchaikovsky, Faure Nikolay Kedrov, Sr. | Music for Vespers, Requiem; Lucy Sealy soprano, Iain Duffin baritone. Otche Nash. | Malmesbury Abbey |
| 14 Mar 2015 | J.S. Bach | 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 | Bath Abbey |
| 17/18/19 Dec 2014 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 68th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 15 Nov 2014 | Marion Wood, Henry Purcell, Jonathan Willcocks, Eric Whitacre, Howard Goodall, Leonard Bernstein, Vaughan Williams | 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. Supported by Wells Cathedral School Brass Percussion Ensemble, Kate Pearson - Harp and Marcus Sealy Organ, Daniel Robson and Lydia Ward | Bath Abbey |
| 5 Jul 2014 | A Night at The Opera - Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Mozart, Weber, Strauss, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Verdi | 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) | Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath |
| 22 Mar 2014 | Handel | Messiah (Handel). Baroque Performance with Music for Awhile - Leader Margaret Faultless. Nathan Vale Evangelist. | Bath Abbey |
| 18/20 Dec 2013 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 67th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 16 Nov 2013 | J.S. Bach, Bruckner, Britten | Jesu, meine Freude; Mass in E minor; Messa Brevis. Southern Sinfonia Wind Ensemble | Bath Abbey |
| 27 Oct 2013 | Bruckner, Knut Nystedt, Mozart, George Dyson (composer) | 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 Queen 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 Queen 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 | Roper Theatre, Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath |
| 23 Mar 2013 | James MacMillan | St John Passion – Christus Mark Stone (baritone): City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, Wellensian Consort, Southern Sinfonia, Leader Alexander Hohenthal | Exeter Cathedral |
| 16 Mar 2013 | James MacMillan | 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 | Wells Cathedral |
| 19/21 Dec 2012 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 66th Season. Soloists: Molly Sharples Harp; Joseph Pritchard Cello; Verity Wingate Soprano | Pump Room, Bath |
| 3 Nov 2012 | J.S. Bach, Aaron Copland, Britten | Komm, Jesu, komm; In the Beginning; St Nicolas | Bath Abbey |
| 23 Jul 2012 | Chilcott, Elgar, Eric Whitacre, Dove | Aesop's Fables; From the Bavarian Highlands, Three Flower Songs; The Passing of the Year | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 17 Mar 2012 | J. S. Bach | 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. | Bath Abbey |
| 14/16 Dec 2011 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 65th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 5 Nov 2011 | Howard Goodall, Whitacre, Górecki, Part, Tavener, Peters | Eternal Light: A Requiem; Lux Aurumque; Totus Tuus; Beatitudes; Svyati; Toccata, Fugue et Hymne sur 'Ave Maris Stella' | Bath Abbey |
| 23 Oct 2011 | Knut Nystedt, Bruckner, Rossini | Laudate Domninum; Locus iste, Quando Corpus | The Venerable English College, Rome |
| 22 Oct 2011 | Nystedt, Górecki, Ellington, Mozart, Bruckner, Rossini, Eric Whitaker, Monteverdi, Tippett, | 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) | La Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome |
| 16 Jul 2011 | Tippett, Dahl, Ellington | 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) | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 19 Mar 2011 | Mendelssohn | Elijah | Bath Abbey |
| 15/17 Dec 2010 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 64th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 6 Nov 2010 | Monteverdi, Chilcott | Hymns and Psalms; Salisbury Vespers. Performed with Bath Camerata | Bath Abbey |
| 3 Jul 2010 | Brahms, Horovitz | Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45; Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with support from the Senior Choir) | Malmesbury Abbey |
| 19 Jun 2010 | Brahms, Horovitz | Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45; Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (performed by The CBBC Junior Choir with support from the Senior Choir)[26] | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 27 Mar 2010 | Monteverdi; Rossini; J. S. Bach | Beatus Vir; Stabat Mater; Cantata BWV 182 Himmelskönig, sei willkommen | Bath Abbey |
| Nigel Perrin's 20th Anniversary Concert[27] | |||
| 16/18 Dec 2009 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 63rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 7 Nov 2009 | J. S. Bach, Britten, Bruckner | Lobet den Herrn; Jesu meine Freude; Rejoice in the Lamb; Tota pulchra es; Ecce sacrados; Afferentur regi; Inveni David | Bath Abbey |
| 24 Oct 2009 | J. S. Bach, Britten, Bruckner | Lobet den Herrn; Rejoice in the Lamb; Locus iste; Ave Maria; Tota Pulchra Est | Thomaskirche, Leipzig |
| 4 Jul 2009 | Will Todd | Mass in Blue | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 28 Mar 2009 | Handel; Karl Jenkins | Messiah (Handel) Part II; Stabat Mater | Bath Abbey |
| 17/19 Dec 2008 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 62nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 1 Nov 2008 | Pehkonen, Hughes, Vivaldi | Russian Requiem. A Song for St. Cecilia. Gloria (RV589) | Bath Abbey |
| 12 July 2008 | Vaughan Williams | 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 | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 15 Mar 2008 | Duruflé | Requiem and works by Fauré, Messiaen, Poulenc Vierne and Hakim. | Bath Abbey |
| 21 Jan 2008 | Karl Jenkins | Requiem – New York City Premier | Carnegie Hall, New York City United States |
| 19/20/21 Dec 2007 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 61st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 3 Nov 2007 | J. S. Bach, Rossini | As a part of Nigel Perrin's Gala Concert. Lobet den Herrn. Peiite Messe Solonelle | The Forum, Bath |
| 14 Jul 2007 | Hughes, Rutter, Purcell | Song for St. Cecilia (Commission – First Performance). Birthday Madrigals. Birthday Ode for Queen Mary Come Ye Sons of Art | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 2007 | 60th Anniversary Concert | ||
| 31 Mar 2007 | Mozart, Beethoven | ‘Great’ Mass in C Minor K427. Christus am Ölberge Op 85 | The Forum, Bath |
| 13/14/15 Dec 2006 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 60th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 28 Oct 2006 | Karl Jenkins, Haydn | Requiem. Nelson Mass | Bath Abbey |
| 8 Jul 2006 | Vaughan Williams, George Shearing and others | Sonnets & Songs with a Shakespearean flavour | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 1 Apr 2006 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion (Neil Jenkins edition) | The Forum, Bath |
| Dec 2005 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 59th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| Nov 2005 | Karl Jenkins, Rutter | An Armed Man – A Mass for Peace. Requiem | The Forum, Bath |
| Jul 2005 | Various | The Grand Tour a musical travelogue | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 19 Mar 2005 | J. S. Bach | Semi-staged St John Passion (Neil Jenkins Edition) | The Forum, Bath |
| 14/15/16/17 Dec 2004 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 58th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 14 & 30 Oct 2004 | Britten | A War Requiem (with Braunschweiger Domchor, Bath Choral Society and the boys of Bristol Cathedral choir.) | Brunswick Cathedral & Colston Hall, Bristol |
| Jul 2004 | Ramírez, Jean Berger, Chilcott | Songs from the Southern Hemisphere. Missa Criolla. Psalmo Brasileiro. The Making of the Drum | Tippett Centre |
| 7 Mar 2004 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 16/17/18/19 Dec 2003 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 57th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 1 Nov 2003 | Handel, Handel, Vivaldi | Ode to St. Cecilia. Silente Venti. Gloria (RV 589) Casella ed. | The Forum, Bath |
| 12 Jul 2003 | Sullivan | West End! A programme including excerpts from Les Misérables and a performance of Trial by Jury | Wiltshire Music Centre |
| 22 Mar 2003 | Lloyd, Rossini | Requiem Aeternam (second performance in the presence of the composer). Petite messe solennelle | Bath Abbey |
| Dec 2002 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 56th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 30 Nov 2002 | Haydn, Britten, Tavener | Missa Sancti Nicolai, Saint Nicholas, God is with us | Wells Cathedral |
| Jul 2002 | Orff | Carmina Burana and other works | Assembly Rooms |
| 6 Apr 2002 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius. Second performance on 10 Apr 02 in collaboration with the Exeter Festival Chorus | Forum & Exeter Cathedral |
| Dec 2001 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 55th Season Pump Room | Pump Room, Bath |
| 10 Nov 2001 | Haydn | Paukenmesse | Bath Abbey |
| Jul 2001 | Various | In the Mood – music on the lighter side. Including Stanford: Songs of the Fleet and Flanders and Horrowitz: Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo | Michael Tippett Centre |
| 7 Apr 2001 | J.S.Bach | St. Matthew Passion (Neil Jenkins Edition) | Bath Abbey |
| Dec 2000 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 54th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 11 Nov 2000 | Brahms | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45 | The Forum, Bath c. Martyn Brabbins |
| 26 Oct 2000 | Various, Brahms | Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen and other pieces | St. Salvator's Cathedral, Bruges |
| 15 Jul 2000 | Various | A Night at the Opera (with the Béla Vikár Choir from Kaposvár, Hungary) | Assembly Rooms |
| 8 Apr 2000 | Walton, Puccini | Belshazzar's Feast. Messa di Gloria. (with Bath Choral Society) | The Forum, Bath |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1999 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 53rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 6 Nov 1999 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Requiem (Duncan Druce Edition) | Bath Abbey |
| 07/09 Oct 1999 | Mozart, Handel | Mass in C K317. Coronation Anthems | Reformed Templon, Kaposvár, and Pasarét Templon, Budapest (Pasaréti téri templom) |
| 3 Jul 1999 | Rutter, Elgar, Kodály | Gloria. Give Unto the Lord. Missa Brevis | Clifton Cathedral, Bristol |
| 27 Mar 1999 | Walton, Elgar, Poulenc | Crown Imperial. The Music Makers. Gloria | The Forum, Bath |
| 16/17/18 Dec 1998 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 52nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 15 Nov 1998 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Dominican Vespers | The Forum, Bath |
| 4 Jul 1998 | Burrell, Dvořák, Britten, Bernstein | Benedicam Dominum, Mass in D, Rejoice in the Lamb. Chichester Psalms | Bath Abbey |
| Apr 1998 | Verdi | Requiem | The Forum, Bath |
| Dec 1997 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 51st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| Nov 1997 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Misericordias Dominum. Solemn Vespers | The Forum, Bath |
| Jul 1997 | Handel | Acis and Galatea | Bath Assembly Rooms |
| 26 Apr 1997 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey c. Sir David Willcocks |
| 24 Apr 1997 | Monteverdi | Vespers of 1610 | Bath Abbey |
| 1997 | The choir's 50th anniversary year | ||
| 18/19/20 Dec 1996 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 50th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| Nov 1996 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Coronation Mass | The Forum, Bath |
| Jul 1996 | Fanshawe | African Sanctus | The Forum, Bath |
| 30 Mar 1996 | Rossini, Mozart | 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 | The Forum, Bath |
| Dec 1995 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 49th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| Nov 1995 | Mozart | As a part of the Bath Mozartfest. Requiem, Ave Verum Corpus | The Forum, Bath |
| Jul 1995 | Berlioz | Grande Messe des Morts (with other NFMS Societies) | Imperial College, London |
| Apr 1995 | Mendelssohn | Elijah | The Forum, Bath |
| Dec 1994 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 48th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 12 Nov 1994 | Fauré, Pärt | Requiem. Stabat Mater (Collection of £750 taken for the Estonian Ferry Disaster) | Bath Abbey |
| 9 Jul 1994 | Various | A night at the Opera | Bath Assembly Rooms |
| 26 Mar 1994 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1993 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 47th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 13 Nov 1993 | J. S. Bach, Britten | Wachet Auf. St. Nicholas | Bath Abbey |
| 3 Jul 1993 | Gershwin, Unknown, Tippett | Porgy and Bess. Missa Luba. Negro Spirituals | Bath Assembly Rooms |
| 17 Apr 1993 | Haydn | Creation | Bath Abbey |
| 16/17/18 Dec 1992 | Various | Carols by Canbdlelight – 46th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 14 Nov 1992 | Rossini | Petite messe solennelle | Bath Abbey |
| 11 Jul 1992 | Carl Orff, Lambert | Carmina Burana, Rio Grande | Bath Assembly Rooms |
| 11 Apr 1992 | J. S. Bach, Antonín Tučapský | Magnificat. Stabat Mater (in presence of composer) | Bath Abbey |
| 18/19.20 Dec 1991 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 45th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 9 Nov 1991 | Pergolesi, Vivaldi, Mozart | Magnificat. Gloria RV 589. Slemn Vespers | Bath Abbey |
| 28 Aug 1991 | Schubert, Schumann, Hassler, Fauré, Purcell, Purcell | Der Tanz. Somerleid. Tanzen und Springen. Cantique de Jean Racine. Come Ye Sons of Art. Birthday Ode for Queen Mary 1694 | Braunschweiger Dom with the Apollo Ensemble |
| 27 Aug 1991 | Handel, Handel, Ireland, Handel | The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Zadok the Priest. Concerto Pastorale for Strings. The King Shall rejoice | Braunschweiger Dom with the Apollo Ensemble |
| 6 Jul 1991 | Vaughan Williams, Purcell | Oxford Elegy. Come Ye Sons of Art | Bath Assembly Rooms |
| 13 Apr 1991 | J. S. Bach, Mendelssohn | Komm Jesus, Komm. Hymn of Praise | Bath Abbey |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1990 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 44th Season | Pump Room c Nigel Perrin and Elizabeth Bates |
| 10 Nov 1990 | Handel | Coronation Anthems. Organ Concertos | Bath Abbey |
| 7 Jul 1990 | Vaughan Williams, Fauré, Horovitz | Shakespeare Songs. Cantique de Jean Racine. Captain Noah | Michael Tippett Centre |
| 21 Apr 1990 | Monteverdi | Vespers of 1610 | Bath Abbey |
| March 1990 | Nigel Perrin Appointed as Director of Music | ||
| 20/21/22 Dec 1989 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 43rd Season | Pump Room c. Elizabeth Bates |
| 4 Nov 1989 | Haydn | Te Deum and Mass | Bath Abbey |
| 8 Jul 1989 | Stanford | Songs of the Fleet, The Revenge | Michael Tippett Centrec. Marcus Sealy |
| 29 Apr 1989 | Handel | Israel in Egypt | Bath Abbey |
| 14/15/16 Dec 1988 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 42nd Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Elizabeth Bates |
| 12 Nov 1988 | Vaughan Williams, Herbert Howells | Sea Symphony, Piano Concerto | Bath Abbey |
| 9 Jul 1988 | Elgar, Coleridge-Taylor | Bavarian Highlands. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast. Victorian Songs | Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University c. Marcus Sealy. |
| 23 Apr 1988 | Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Hubert Parry | Introduction and Allegro. Donna nobis pacem. Invocation to Music | Bath Abbey |
| Dec 1987 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 41st Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Elizabeth Bates |
| 14 Nov 1987 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio | Bath Abbey |
| 27 Jun 1987 | Duruflé, Poulenc | Requiem. Litanies a la Vierge Noire | Bath Abbey (Organ only) |
| 28 Mar 1987 | J. S. Bach | Mass in A Major. Mass in G Minor. Double Violin Concerto | Bath Abbey |
| 17/18/20 Dec 1986 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 40th Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Joyce Honor |
| 15 Nov 1986 | Beethoven, Howells | Symphony No 3 in E Flat Op 55 (Eroica). Stabat Mater | Bath Abbey |
| 28 Jun 1986 | J. S. Bach, Kodály, Mozart | Prelude & Fugue in C BWV547. Missa Brevis. Solemn Vespers | Bath Abbey |
| 19 Apr 1986 | Mozart, Darlow | Missa Brevis in C (K258), Requiem (World Premier) | Bath Abbey |
| 18/19/20 Dec 1985 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 39th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 9 Nov 1985 | Handel | Alexander's Feast | Bath Abbey |
| 27 Jul 1985 | Handel, Elgar | The Ways of Zion do Mourn, Coronation Ode | Bath Abbey |
| 16 Mar 1985 | J. S. Bach | St. Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1984 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 38th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 10 Nov 1984 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius | Bath Abbey |
| 31 Jul 1984 | Fauré, Honegger | Requiem. King David (Narrator: Richard Stilgoe) | Bath Abbey |
| 31 Mar 1984 | Brahms, Mozart | A German Requiem. Symphony No 34 in C Minor | Bath Abbey |
| 21/22/23 Dec 1983 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 37th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 12 Nov 1983 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio | Bath Abbey |
| 23 Jul 1983 | Elgar, Britten, Schubert, Kelly | Psalm 48 Great is the Lord, Psalm 29 Give unto the Lord, Missa Brevis. Salve Regina. Exultate. Surrexit Hodie | Bath Abbey(Organ Only) |
| 30 Apr 1983 | Mozart, Haydn, S. S. Wesley, Bairstow, Dupré, Britten | 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 | St. Mary's Bathwick c. Marcus Sealy |
| 12 Mar 1983 | Mozart, Schubert | Requiem KV 626, Mass in E Flat Minor D950 | Bath Abbey |
| 21/22/23 Dec 1982 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 36th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 23 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach, Stephen Dodgson | Magnificat. Suite No 4 in D. Te Deum (World Premier) | Bath Abbey |
| 19 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 215 Preise dein Glucke. Suite No 3 in D. Cantata No 206 Schleicht, spielende Wellen | Bath Abbey |
| 16 Oct 1982 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 16–23 October 1982 | As a part of the 8th Bath Bach Festival (Stephen Dodgson was composer in residence) | ||
| 20 Mar 1982 | Beethoven | Missa Solemnis in D | Bath Abbey |
| January 1982 | Marcus Sealy joins the choir in succession to Richard Bates as accompanist, deputy director and continuo player | ||
| 15/16/17 Dec 1981 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 35th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 24 Oct 1981 | Berlioz, Saint-Saëns | Music for Praise and Reflection, Te Deum, Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 28 Mar 1981 | Elgar | The Dream of Gerontius | Bath Abbey |
| 31 Jan 1981 | Bruckner, Mozart | Mass in E Minor, 2 Orchestral Pieces | Bath Abbey |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1980 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 34th Season | Banqueting Room, Guildhall, Bath |
| 12 Jul 1980 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey c. Sir David Willcocks Under Denys Darlow as the choir's director of music |
| 20 Mar 1980 | Beethoven | Missa Solemnis Mass in D | Bath Abbey c Denys Darlow |
| 18 Jun 1980 | Tallis, William Byrd, Brahms, Sir William Henry Harris | Lamentations. Laudibus in Sanctis. Thy servant is downcast. Bring us, O Lord God | Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College c. R Bates and E Bates |
| 17 May 1980 | Fauré, Mozart, Haydn | Requiem, Symphony no 32 in G Major K 318, Harmonie-Messe | Bath Abbey |
| 19 April 1980 | 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 1990 (which was to have been Cuthbert's last concert as conductor) to his memory. The conductor was the choir's president, Sir David Willcocks. | ||
| 18/19/20 Dec 1979 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 33rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 20 Oct 1979 | Bononcini, Handel, Handel, Vivaldi | Stabat Mater. Let God Arise! Dixit Dominus. Gloria RV 589 | Bath Abbey |
| 30 Jun 1979 | Verdi | Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 29 Apr 1979 | Palestrina, Byrd, Bousignac, Duruflé, Vaughan Williams | Assumpta est Maria. Christe quit Lux es et Dies. Jubilate Deo. Ubi Caritas. Mass in G minor | Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1978 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 32nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 14 Oct 1978 | Haydn, Brahms | Paukenmesse. A German Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 24 June 1978 | J. S. Bach, W. F. Bach, J. S. Bach, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach | Bach Family Concert. Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79. Overture in D Minor. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80. Symphony in G Minor. Magnificat | Bath Abbey |
| 17 June 1978 | J. S. Bach, W. F. Bach, J. S. Bach, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach | Bach Family Concert. Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79. Overture in D Minor. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80. Symphony in G Minor. Magnificat | Dorchester Abbey |
| 20/21/22 Dec 1977 | Various | Carols by Candlelight 31st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 22 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 20 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 18 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, BWV 41. Mass in F major. ‘Dies sind die heiligen zehn Gebot’ | Bath Abbey |
| 15 Oct 1977 | J. S. Bach | St. Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 15–22 October 1977 | As a part of the 7th Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 19 Mar 1977 | Vaughan Williams, Charpentier, Handel, Purcell | Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. Mass for double choir. Organ concerto in F major Op 4 No 4. Coronation Anthem ‘My heart is indicting’ | Bath Abbey |
| The Queen's Silver Jubilee Concert | |||
| 30 January 1977 | Allan Bennett, honorary accompanist and deputy conductor of the choir died. He was succeeded in post by Richard Bates. | ||
| 21/22/23 Dec 1976 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 30th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 9 Oct 1976 | Mozart, Bruckner | Symphony No 40 in G minor K550. Mass in F Minor | Bath Abbey |
| 3 Jul 1976 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Oxford Town Hall |
| 20 Mar 1976 | Schütz, Handel, Duruflé | Psalm 150 ‘Lobet den Herren’. Chandos Anthem No 6. Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| The choir gave 3 Concerts in 1976 to celebrate its 30th Anniversary | |||
| 17/18/19 Dec 1975 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −29th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 5 Nov 1975 | Handel | Messiah (Handel) | Bath Assembly Rooms c Allan Bennett |
| 19 Jul 1975 | R. Vaughan Williams | Benedicte. Serenade to Music. A Sea Symphony | Bath Abbey |
| 27 Mar 1975 | Sir Arthur Bliss died and was superseded as choir president by Sir David Willcocks KCB CBE MC | ||
| 18/19/20 Dec 1974 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 28th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 26 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 24 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 22 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 106. Brandenburg Concerto No 6. Cantata No 6. Magnificat in D | Bath Abbey |
| 19 Oct 1974 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 19–26 October 1974 | As a part of the 6th Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 18 May 1974 | W. A. Mozart | Symphony No 41 in C (KV551) Jupiter Symphony. Mass in C Minor (KV427) | Bath Abbey |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1973 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 27th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 23 Jun 1973 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 13/14/15 Dec 1972 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 26th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 21 Oct 1972 | Schütz, Gabrielli, Buxtehude, Cavalli | 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 | Bath Abbey |
| 25 Mar 1972 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1971 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −25th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 16 Oct 1971 | Geminiani, J. S. Bach, Delalande, Handel | 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.] | Bath Abbey |
| 2 Jun 1971 | Berkeley, Stravinsky, Michael Rose, Herbert Howells, Monteverdi, A. Gabrieli, Byrd, J. S. Bach, Vaughan Williams, Michael Tippett | 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 | Bath Abbey |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1970 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 24th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 11 June 1970 | Various | Music for voices and organ | St Stephen's Church |
| 16/17/18 Dec 1969 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 23rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 25 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 21 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31, Komm Jesu Komm, Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21 | Pump Room, Bath c. Philip Ledger |
| 18 Oct 1969 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 18 – 25 October 1969 | As a part of the 5th Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 17/18/19 Dec 1968 | Various | Carols by Candlelight- 22nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 12 Oct 1968 | Haydn | The Creation | Bath Abbey |
| 5 Sep 1968 | J. Brahms, J. S. Bach | Ein Deutsches Requiem. Magnificat (Bach) in D Minor BWV 243 | Stadthalle, Braunschweig |
| 3 Sep 1968 | Various | Selection of Unaccompanied Music | Goslar |
| 21 July 1968 | Various | Recital of unaccompanied Music | Prior Park Chapel |
| 26 June 1968 | Tippett | A Child of Our Time | Wells Cathedral c. Sir Michael Tippett OM CH CBE |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1967 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 21st Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 9 July 1967 | Various | Serenade Concert | Prior Park Chapel |
| 1 July 1967 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 20/21/22 Dec 1966 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 20th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 22 Oct 1966 | Handel, Duruflé | Dixit Dominus. Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 3 July 1966 | Various | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert | Pump Room, Bath |
| 21/22/23 Dec 1965 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 19th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 30 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 28 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 26 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 65. Brandenburg Concerto No 2. Motet for double choir "Sing Ye to the Lord". Cantata No 50. | Bath Abbey |
| 23 Oct 1965 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 23–30 October 1965 | As a part of the 4th Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 19 June 1965 | Haydn | Nelson Mass (Bath Festival) | Bath Abbey c István Kertész |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1964 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 18th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 22 Oct 1964 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 13 Jun 1964 | Mozart | Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 17/18/19 Dec 1963 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 17th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 19 Oct 1963 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 15 Jun 1963 | Monteverdi, J. S. Bach | 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, Leade Robert Masters | Bath Abbey |
| 18/19/20 Dec 1962 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 16th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 3 Nov 1962 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 26 May 1962 | J. S. Bach, Vaughan Williams | Sleepers Wake BWV 140. A Sea Symphony | Bath Abbey |
| 19/20/21 Dec 1961 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 15th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 21 Oct 1961 | Holst, Brahms | Hymn to Jesus. A German Requiem | Bath Abbey |
| 9 Jun 1961 | Fauré | Requiem | Bath Abbey c. Nadia Boulanger |
| 20/21/22 Dec 1960 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 14th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 29 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 27 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | Motet 'Be not afraid', Cantata No 4. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049. Magnificat (Bach) in D major, BWV 243 | Bath Abbey |
| 25 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 22 Oct 1960 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 22nd – 29 October 1960 | As a part of the 3rd Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 29 May 1960 | J. S. Bach and others | A programme of Anthems, Madrigals and Motets given as a part of the Bath Festival (d. Yehudi Menuhin) | The Roman Baths (Bath) |
| 15/16/17 Dec 1959 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 13th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| August 1959 | Sir Arthur Bliss CH, KVCO, Master of the Queen's Musick, is appointed choir president | ||
| 28 Feb 1959 | J. S. Bach | 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. | Bath Abbey |
| 16/17/18 Dec 1958 | Various | Carols by Candlelight −12th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| August 1958 | Dr. Ralph Vaughan Williams OM, the choir's president dies | ||
| 7 Jun 1958 | J. S. Bach | 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[28] tenor, Richard Standen[29] bass. Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse,[30] Organist Ernst Maynard. | Bath Abbey |
| 18/19 Dec 1957 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 11th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 6 Dec 1957 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio | Bath Abbey |
| 1 Jun 57 | Thomas Tallis, Vaughan Williams | 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. | Bath Abbey |
| 1 June 1957 | Ralph Vaughan Williams Festival Concert | ||
| 19/20 Dec 1956 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 10th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| Autumn 1956 | Tallis, Palestrina, Bousignac, Vaughan Williams | Motet in 40 parts Spem in alium. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Jubilate Deo. The Voice out of the Whirlwind | Bath Abbey |
| 26 May 1956 | Beethoven | Mass in D | Bath Abbey c. Allan Bennett |
| 19 Jan 1956 | Haydn | Creation | Royal Festival Hall, London c. Josef Krips |
| 19/20 Dec 1955 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 9th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 7 July 1955 | Various | Mass in G Minor VW | Bath Abbey c. Allan Bennett |
| 14 May 1955 | J. Haydn | Bath Abbey c. Josef Krips | |
| 20/21 Dec 1954 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 8th Season | Pump Room, Bath c. Allan Bennett |
| 16 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 14 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | Cantata No 80 Ein’ feste Burg. Motet Sing ye to the Lord. Magnificat | Bath Abbey |
| 12 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | St. John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 9 Oct 1954 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 9–16 October 1954 | As a part of the 2nd Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 26 May 1954 | Mozart Beethoven | 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. | The Forum, Bath |
| 21/22Dec 1953 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 7th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 23 May 1953 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor. Sopran Jennifer Vyvyan, Contralto Kathleen Joyce, Tenor Eric Green, Bass Trevor Anthony, Continuo Dr Thornton Lofthouse, Organ Ernst Maynard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Thomas Matthews. | Bath Abbey |
| 17/24 May 1953 | Various | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert | Pump Room, Bath |
| 17/18 Dec 1952 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 6th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 24 May 1952 | J. Brahms | A German Requiem. Soprano Jennifer Vyvyan, Baritone Bruce Boyce, Organ Ernest Maynard, Harpsichord continuo Michael Allard. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
| 18/19 Dec 1951 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 5th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 8 Dec 1951 | J. S. Bach | Christmas Oratorio | Bath Abbey |
| 2 Jun 1951 | Various | Unaccompanied Serenade Concert | Pump Room, Bath |
| 26 May 1951 | G. F. Handel | Messiah. Soprano Ena Mitchell, Contralto Nacy Thomas, Tenor William Herbert, Bass Owen Brannigan. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
| 19/20 Dec 1950 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 4th Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 21 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor | Bath Abbey |
| 19 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | St John Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 17 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | BWV 11 – Praise Our God; Jesu, Priceless Treasure; Magnificat | Bath Abbey |
| 14 Oct 1950 | J. S. Bach | St Matthew Passion | Bath Abbey |
| 14–21 Oct 1950 | As a part of the 1st Bath Bach Festival | ||
| 20/21 Dec 1949 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 3rd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 27 Jun 1949 | Various | Recital of Choral Music | Bath Abbey |
| 21 May 1949 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor Soprano Elsie Suddaby, Contralto Grace Bodey, Tenor David Lloyd, Bass Norman Walker. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader George Stratton. | Bath Abbey |
| 21 Dec 1948 | Various | Carols by Candlelight – 2nd Season | Pump Room, Bath |
| 24 Apr 1948 | J. S. Bach | 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 | Bath Abbey |
| 23 Dec 1947 | Vaughan Williams, Martin Shaw (composer), Edmund Rubbra, Robert Lucas de Pearsall, Palestrina, Peter Warlock, Frank Bridge, Dora Brown, Gustav Holst, Armstrong Gibbs | 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. | The Minstrels' Gallery, Pump Room, Bath |
| 7 Jun 1947 | J. S. Bach | Mass in B minor.[4] Soprano Isobel Baillie, Contralto Eileen Pilcher, Tenor Eric Green Bass George Pizzey. London Symphony Orchestra. Leader Lionel Bentley. | Bath Abbey |
| 1946 | Choir Formed | ||
References
- ↑ Registered Charity 1043756. Accounts lodged with UK Charity Commission
- 1 2 http://www.concertprogrammes.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/5521
- ↑ http://callawaymedia.arts.uwa.edu.au/unrestricted/images/joyce/print/view/folder02/EJ00070-s001-v.jpg
- 1 2 http://trove.nla.gov.au/result?q=subject%3A%22Bach+Festival.+Bath%2C+England.+1954%22
- ↑ http://www.concertprogrammes.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/5519
- ↑ http://cfba.org.uk/cfba-members-category/music-members/page/3/
- ↑ http://elispehkonen.com/the-music/choral-music/russian-requiem/
- ↑ http://www.edward-hughes.com
- ↑ http://www.dciny.org/past-concerts/monday-january-21-2008-800-pm.html
- 1 2 http://www.mayorofbath.co.uk/twinning-associations
- ↑ http://www.bathmozartfest.org.uk
- ↑ Tilford Bach Festival
- ↑ http://www.tilbach.org.uk
- ↑ http://www.london-handel-festival.com
- ↑ http://www.somerset-life.co.uk/people/somerset_life_s_sarah_ford_talks_with_nigel_perrin_the_king_of_choirs_1_1636674
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20121201122754/http://www.braunschweig.de/kultur_tourismus/stadtportraet/partnerstaedte/partner_freundschaftsstaedte.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBVnU2B45I
- ↑ http://www.exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk
- ↑ http://www.wellensian-consort.co.uk
- ↑ http://www.exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk/index.php/reviews/march-2013-st-john-passion-in-wells
- ↑ http://www.exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk/index.php/reviews/march-2013-st-john-passion-in-exeter
- ↑ http://www.markstone.info
- ↑ http://www.southernsinfonia.co.uk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=indGkoNe1qA&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Review-City-Bath-Bach-Choir-Music-Awhile-Messiah/story-20846539-detail/story.html
- ↑ https://bachtrack.com/22/296/view/21
- ↑ http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Bath-Bach-Choir-Bath-Abbey/story-11330742-detail/story.html#axzz2iGabseZp
- ↑ "David Galliver (Tenor)". bach-cantatas.com. January 10, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Richard Standen (Bass)". bach-cantatas.com. November 20, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Charles Thornton Lofthouse, the first person to play a harpsichord in the Royal Albert Hall". semibrevity.com. August 21, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
