A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bach Choir
BACH CHOIR, THE. In 1875 a body of amateurs was got together by Mr. A. D. Coleridge for the purpose of studying Bach's Mass in B minor, a work concerning which musicians in England were then in almost total ignorance. The music was studied under the direction of Mr. Otto Goldschmidt [see vol. i. p. 608], who had devoted much preparatory care to the Mass; and the work was performed at St. James's Hall on April 26, 1876, and again in May of the same year. Its success was such as to encourage the promoters of the scheme to convert the temporary choir into a permanent association for the production of classical vocal music. The new society was called 'The Bach Choir' (in commemoration of the inaugural performance), and its object was defined by the rules to be the practice and production of choral works of excellence of various schools. Lord Coleridge became president, Mr. Goldschmidt musical director and conductor, and Mr. Coleridge honorary secretary, while the details of the administration were handed over to a salaried secretary and librarian. In March 1879 Her Majesty graciously consented to become patron of the choir. In June of that year Mr. Prendergast was appointed secretary and librarian, with the whole of the administrative work, Mr. Coleridge retaining the office of honorary secretary.
While practising and producing other choral works, the Mass was not neglected, and it was performed, for the eighth time in London, in the Albert Hall on March 25, 1885, in celebration of the bicentenary of Bach's birth. For this performance the choir was largely augmented by voices selected from other leading societies, and many retired members resumed for the occasion their places in the chorus. Interest was also lent to this performance by the use for the first time in England of the trumpet and oboi d'amore parts as written by Bach. The whole forces were directed by Mr. Otto Goldschmidt, who shortly afterwards resigned the post of conductor, and, declining re-election, was succeeded by Dr. C. Villiers Stanford. In the same year Lord Coleridge retired from the office of president, and Lord Monteagle was elected to succeed him. At the end of this year Mr. Prendergast resigned the office of secretary and librarian, and the work was undertaken by Mr. Morton Latham as honorary secretary, Mr. Coleridge resigning the office which he had held since the commencement. Many members left the choir after the great performance in 1885, but new members were not long in filling the vacancies, and the numbers are now higher than at any previous time. (The only performance in England of the B minor Mass which has not been given by the Bach Choir was the fine production at the Leeds Festival of 1886 under the direction of Sir Arthur Sullivan.)
Subjoined is a list of the principal works which have been introduced to London through the agency of the Bach Choir. Many of these have been specially published for the society in the Bach Choir Magazine.
J. S. Bach. Mass in B minor; Missa Brevis in A; Cantata, 'Ein' feste Burg'; Chorus, 'Now shall the Grace'; Sanctus in D; Do. in C.
Berlioz. Te Deum.
Bruch. 'Odysseus.'
Cherubini. Mass in D.
Gade. 'Comala.'
Kiel. 'The Star of Bethlehem.'
Palestrina. Missa Papae Marcelli; Missa 'Assumpta est Maria.'
C. H. H. Parry. 'Prometheus unbound'; 'Blest Pair of Sirens.'
Purcell. Anthem, 'Jehovah, quam multi.'
Spohr. Ps. xxlii.
Motets and shorter Works.
Anerio. 'Alleluia.'
J. C. Bach. 'Lieber Herr Gott.'
Sterndale Bennett. 'In Thee, O Lord.'
Brahms. 'Es ist das Heil.'
Eccard. 'When to the temple Mary came.'
Goss (finished by Sullivan). 'The God of Jeshurun.'
Mendelssohn. 'Tu es Petrus.'
Palestrina. 'Adoramus Te.'
Vittoria. 'O quam gloriosum.' and 'Jesu dulcis.'