LBS was founded on 7 November 1946 in order to ‘get back to Bach in its original form’. Since foundation, the Society has built up an enviable reputation for its pioneering work to make Bach’s repertoire more widely known and appreciated in the UK, with the lesser known works one of the artistic priorities. Continually building on its considerable musical legacy, LBS centres its performing work around an annual Bachfest (c.31 October – 10 November) founded in 1990.
Under founder Paul Steinitz’s direction from 1946-1988 the Society’s pioneering projects have changed the way we approach the study and performance of Bach’s music in this country. These have opened the door to Bach’s magnificent treasury of music for many generations of performers and listeners, and inspired other conductors and musicians to explore the vast corpus of Bach’s music more deeply themselves now here in the UK. An alumnus of the Royal Academy of Music, Paul Steinitz is an inspiration for the RAM Bach Cantata series completed in December 2018, with one of the concerts dedicated to their former student for his centenary in 2009.
Our Artistic Director is Margaret Steinitz Click here to read her biography.
Now in its eighth decade, London Bach Society is building upon this musical legacy, supporting young musicians and encouraging new audiences as well as promoting its bedrock policy to enhance modern Bach scholarship in ‘live’performances today.
The Society is part of a global Bach community of organisations devoted to the study and performance of Bach’s music. It is a community that embraces all four corners of the world. LBS were patrons of a special edition of the Leipzig Bachfest 2022 “BACH-We are Family” that brought together Bach Societies, Choirs and organisations from around the globe.
LBS celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its foundation in November 2021 with the performance of a new work and a concert in new venue. Covid-19 constraints and a blistering economic crisis that affects the Arts as well as families and businesses generally, we plan ahead cautiously and will resume our annual Bachfest in the autumn 2023 – 31 Oct-10 Nov. Mark the dates.
Our Mission
LBS is performance-driven. An independent spirit, all the Society does flows to and from the ‘live’ experience enabling the performer and listener to draw closer to Bach, his music, his life and times and to be inspired and enriched by them. We promote our own professional period-instrument orchestra founded in 1968 Steinitz Bach Players.
Click here to read about Steinitz Bach Players.
Click here read about our History.
Click here to read about our commissions and first performances
Our Network of Support
We are supported by private donors, public grants, trusts, foundations and legacies. We also have a growing number of Bach Friends and we invite you to join them – click on the logo above. From as little as £50 rising to £1,000 +, you can become a donor and help us to make things happen.
Your way to Bach begins here… and the keys that will unlock the doors to musical discovery and adventure for you, your family and your friends are held in the various links and throughout our web pages.
Our Policies
External Concerts, Publicity & Reciprocal Marketing Click here
Participation Click here
Privacy Policy Click here
Safeguarding Policy Click here