CARDIFF BACH CHOIR
The Choir was formed in 1962 by Clifford Bunford. Originally a choir of around 25 singers, over the years the choir has expanded and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions. When Cliff retired in 2003 his place was taken by Dr Tim Taylor who conducted the choir until his retirement in 2015. Luke Spencer was then appointed, and led us until 2021 when he moved to Pembrokeshire. Our current Musical Director Stephen Moore was appointed in July 2021.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists and we continue to encourage up and coming young singers from Cardiff University and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
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 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 where we performed 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 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.
While we continue to explore new avenues and develop exciting productions, now under the baton of Stephen Moore, with programmes including 20th century composers, we have not forgotten our original aims, and the work of Bach and his contemporaries will continue to feature regularly in our concerts in the future.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists and we continue to encourage up and coming young singers from Cardiff University and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
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 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 where we performed 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 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.
While we continue to explore new avenues and develop exciting productions, now under the baton of Stephen Moore, with programmes including 20th century composers, we have not forgotten our original aims, and the work of Bach and his contemporaries will continue to feature regularly in our concerts in the future.