The Choir's History
The Choir was formed in 1962 by Clifford Bunford. Originally a choir of around 25 singers it now has a membership of over 60. The aim of the Choir was and continues to be to promote the works of Bach and his contemporaries.
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable performances include the first performance in St Davids Hall of Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Cliff Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and recently with Paul Carey Jones in the role of Elijah at a memorable farewell concert to our conductor Dr Tim Taylor. Over the years we have encouraged up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) many of whom are now well known in the field of opera and in the concert hall.
Since its inception, the choir has had only two conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80s and, for the past 12 years, Dr Timothy Taylor who retired in July 2015.
December 2015 Cardiff Bach Choir visited Stuttgart and sang with Stuttgarter Oratorienchor in the Liederhalle to an audience of some 1500 people in a concert which featured the work of JS Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning if the two cities. The German Choir joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The programme featured a rare performance of Grace Williams Ave Maris Stella together with William Matthias Let the People Praise Thee and Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater.
In 2018 the choir linked with Morriston Tabernacle choir for a memorable trip to Rome when we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peters Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peters Basilica. We maintain our links with Luke and his choirs and in July 2023 we were delighted to join Cor Dyfed for an unforgettable performance of Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater in the wonderful setting of St David's Cathedral
Under our current Music Director Stephen Moor appointed in 2020 we continue to play a major role in the amateur music scene in Cardiff, widening our repertoire and exploring new music while still ensuring we stay faithful to the classic composers and in the music of Bach
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable performances include the first performance in St Davids Hall of Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Cliff Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and recently with Paul Carey Jones in the role of Elijah at a memorable farewell concert to our conductor Dr Tim Taylor. Over the years we have encouraged up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) many of whom are now well known in the field of opera and in the concert hall.
Since its inception, the choir has had only two conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80s and, for the past 12 years, Dr Timothy Taylor who retired in July 2015.
December 2015 Cardiff Bach Choir visited Stuttgart and sang with Stuttgarter Oratorienchor in the Liederhalle to an audience of some 1500 people in a concert which featured the work of JS Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning if the two cities. The German Choir joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The programme featured a rare performance of Grace Williams Ave Maris Stella together with William Matthias Let the People Praise Thee and Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater.
In 2018 the choir linked with Morriston Tabernacle choir for a memorable trip to Rome when we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peters Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peters Basilica. We maintain our links with Luke and his choirs and in July 2023 we were delighted to join Cor Dyfed for an unforgettable performance of Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater in the wonderful setting of St David's Cathedral
Under our current Music Director Stephen Moor appointed in 2020 we continue to play a major role in the amateur music scene in Cardiff, widening our repertoire and exploring new music while still ensuring we stay faithful to the classic composers and in the music of Bach