We join forces with Bath Bach Choir to perform Beethoven’s mighty Choral Symphony.  Beethoven was the first composer to introduce voices into a symphony with a setting of Schiller’s Ode to Joy.

Another innovator, Liszt was the first composer to use the term ‘symphonic poem’ to describe a work linked to some extra-musical idea.  Les Préludes draws on a poem by Lamartine on the theme of love and war.

Bath Bach Choir will perform Ešenvalds’ setting of Longfellow’s poem A Shadow, which showcases his powerful use of rich and glorious melody. The 8-part choir, accompanied by the gentle chimes of the glockenspiel, alternately soars with joy and quietly contemplates the flow of time.

Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man opens our programme.  Composed in 1942 to support the American war effort, the fanfare does not celebrate any individual hero, but the power found in all of us to change the world.

Bath Bach Choir is a spirited group of some 90 musicians which gave its first performance in 1947 and continues to be a thriving and friendly group.

For some 33 years, the choir benefited from the inspirational and passionate style of Nigel Perrin, our much-loved Musical Director whose death in June 2024 we were very sad to announce. From January 2023 we welcomed Benedict Collins Rice who is proving to be outstanding in the role as he leads the choir into a new and exciting chapter of its history.

The Choir’s performances embrace a broad repertoire from Bach, Handel and Tchaikovsky to Macmillan, Todd and Pehkonen, the latter three all present to hear their works performed. Members frequently travel together to sing in foreign venues (including Bath’s twin cities), run an annual workshop and enjoy focused, fun rehearsals as well as social gatherings.

Musical Director Benedict Collins Rice
Accompanist Marcus Sealy