The Bach Choir (London)

Founded in 1876, The Bach Choir is recognised as one of the world’s leading choruses, building upon a tradition that combines musical excellence with creativity and innovation.

From the first performance in Britain of Bach’s Mass in B minor to the soundtrack for Ridley Scott’s epic Prometheus, the Choir’s musical heritage is as rich as it is diverse. Directed by David Hill, one of the UK’s most eminent conductors and choir trainers, The Bach Choir regularly performs and records across London and the UK in prestigious venues, from the Royal Albert Hall to Abbey Road Studios, as well as sharing its work with audiences around the world. In 2008 The Bach Choir performed in the Sydney Opera House under the direction of the late Sir Richard Hickox, and last summer sang at the Coronation Festival Gala for HM The Queen in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

With a strong commitment to new music, the Choir has commissioned works from some of the world’s leading composers including the late Sir John Tavener, Bob Chilcott and Carl Rütti. In June 2014 The Bach Choir will give the first performance of a work commissioned from Jonathan Dove in London’s Royal Festival Hall.

The Bach Choir has always been characterised by the commitment of its members. With talented singers coming from all walks of life, an international touring schedule, and a thriving outreach programme, the Choir takes pride in performing, recording and sharing music for all to enjoy.

www.thebachchoir.org.uk

David Hill
Musical Director of The Bach Choir

Sim Canetty-Clarke

Renowned for his fine musicianship, David Hill is widely respected as both a choral and an orchestral conductor.

He became The Bach Choir’s ninth Musical Director in 1998; he is also Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers, Associate Guest Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum.

Born in Carlisle in 1957, David Hill was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at the age of 17, and won an organ scholarship to St John’s College, Cambridge. He has since held posts at Durham, Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals, and at St John’s College, Cambridge where he was Director of Music.

David is in great demand for choral training workshops worldwide, and his handbook on the subject Giving Voice was published in 1995. As an organist, he has given recitals in most of the major venues in the UK and has toured extensively abroad.

David Hill has a broad-ranging discography of over 80 recordings, spanning repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day and including many award-winners. The third in his English series for Naxos with The Bach Choir and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra – Delius’s A Mass of Life – was widely acclaimed on its release last year and won a coveted Choc de Classica.

David Hill has appeared as guest conductor with many of the leading choirs and orchestras in the UK and abroad, including the Minnesota Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Choir and RIAS Kammerchor, Berlin. His commitment to new music has led to him commissioning works from many leading composers.