THE HISTORY OF CARDIFF BACH CHOIR
The Choir was formed in 1962 by Clifford Bunford. Originally a choir of around twenty five singers, it has now blossomed into an ensemble of over sixty. The founding aim of the choir was, and continues to be, to promote the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries.
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow for performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since performed all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable concerts include the first performance in St David's Hall, Cardiff of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Clifford Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has shared the stage with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and 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 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 four conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80's. From 2003 to 2015 Dr Timothy Taylor led the choir until he stepped down and continued as one of our regular members. In 2015 we entered a new chapter in our musical journey when Luke Spencer was appointed as musical director. Under Luke’s directorship the choir explored new avenues and introduced new music whilst still maintaining the traditional repertoire. In 2021, Luke Spencer moved to Pembrokeshire which necessitated another change of conductor, and in September 2021 Cardiff Bach Choir happily welcomed our current musical director Stephen Moore.
In 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 J.S. Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning of the two cities. The German choir then joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May 2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The concert 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 where we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peter's Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
We still maintain our links with Luke Spencer and his Pembrokeshire-based 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.
Our current Music Director Stephen Moore led us for our Diamond Jubilee celebration concert in 2022 with a memorable performance of the Bach St John Passion at Hoddinott Hall, and under his guidance we continue to explore new works as well as aiming to perform a major Bach work every other year. We continue to play a major role in the amateur music scene in Cardiff. We hope to see you at our next concert!
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow for performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since performed all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable concerts include the first performance in St David's Hall, Cardiff of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Clifford Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has shared the stage with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and 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 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 four conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80's. From 2003 to 2015 Dr Timothy Taylor led the choir until he stepped down and continued as one of our regular members. In 2015 we entered a new chapter in our musical journey when Luke Spencer was appointed as musical director. Under Luke’s directorship the choir explored new avenues and introduced new music whilst still maintaining the traditional repertoire. In 2021, Luke Spencer moved to Pembrokeshire which necessitated another change of conductor, and in September 2021 Cardiff Bach Choir happily welcomed our current musical director Stephen Moore.
In 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 J.S. Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning of the two cities. The German choir then joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May 2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The concert 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 where we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peter's Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
We still maintain our links with Luke Spencer and his Pembrokeshire-based 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.
Our current Music Director Stephen Moore led us for our Diamond Jubilee celebration concert in 2022 with a memorable performance of the Bach St John Passion at Hoddinott Hall, and under his guidance we continue to explore new works as well as aiming to perform a major Bach work every other year. We continue to play a major role in the amateur music scene in Cardiff. We hope to see you at our next concert!