The UK's premier Bach Society. Founded 1946.
We regret to announce that our Artist tested positive for Covid-19 on 18 May, so we have postponed the recital at Langstone – date to be announced. Naturally we are so sorry about this and wish Pawel well in his recovery. Ticket holders should be in touch with Richard Jones direct. Click here. We will be in touch a.s.a.p.
In the period 5-8 April 1750, Bach underwent a 2nd eye operation delivered by London eye surgeon Dr John Taylor. It must have been agony and an experience from which Bach never recovered – a stroke followed three months later and our beloved JSB passed away on 28 July that same year. One of the greatest Chorale Preludes is “Vor deinen Thron trett’ ich hiermit” (Now I stand before thy throne) BWV 668 (Leipzig Chorale Preludes, the great ’18’), sometimes referred to as the ‘death-bed’ chorale with the story being that Bach dictated this on his death-bed a few days before he died. This is doubted, but somehow it conjures up a lovely image doesn’t it?
Bach’s music is performed using a variety of musical forces as well as the original ones. It is well known that Paul Steinitz advocated performing Bach using musical forces with which the composer would have been familiar – implementing period style using period instruments and reduced choral forces – the latter for attention at his death and which he did not complete, sadly. This satisfied a huge musical curiosity as to how it originally sounded. Nowadays, the horizon has been broadened and Bach’s music is played on an ever-widening variety of instruments from marimba to saxophone to anything you care to name, as well as by specialising chamber ensembles.
Click here to listen to “Vor deinen Thron trett’ ich hiermit” beautifully played by the Danish String Quartet joined by a youth choir. Take a moment…
A new Chapter begins.….
Click here to read the Spring 2022 edition of Bach Notes
Click here to visit the LBS Books page.
Updated 7 March 2022
BACHCHATS online
The date of the next BachChat date is coming soon This will be the first BachChat gathering of a concert season that will complete and continue our 75th anniversary celebrations not possible last autumn..
If you would like to participate, then email us at lbs@lonbachsoc.co.uk . The Zoom link for you to attend will be sent to you just ahead of the date.
We thank all our Bach Friends, donors and supporters for maintaining their support during this challenging period. We thank them for the messages received and the encouragement that accompanies them.
Bach Friends
Our ability to fulfill our charitable purpose depends on the receipt of donations from Bach Friends, individuals and through grants from private and public authorities. So if you would like to support us, please get in touch and donate via Bach Friends link below (or above right)
If you would like to add your name and keep in touch, then email lbs@lonbachsoc.co.uk to give your consent or accept our invitation to join Bach Friends
Please note our new email address:
lbs@lonbachsoc.co.uk
With best wishes
Margaret Steinitz, Artistic Director
Updated 7 February 2022
Updated 8 March 2022
The latest e-Bach Notes. Click here to access.
A new edition of Bach Notes online is in preparation and e-Bach Notes will be emailed via Mail Chimp shortly. Publication date: 10 March 2022
Here is the pre-pandemic edition of Bach Notes
Email: lbs@lonbachsoc.co.uk to receive your copy.
Click here to access past editions.
Historical Articles have been uploaded on to the Bachfest, Events etc page.
To access click here. Articles include
Throwback Bachfest 2018 The Thirty Years War : Europe’s Coronavirus? 1618-1648
Throwback Bachfest 2019 Historical Papers marking “Victoria & Albert’s 200th”
Bachfest Online theme: Bach: Family and Friends
Updated 5 October 2021