Founded: 1924 (as Wireless Chorus) - London, England

The BBC Singers are the UK's only full-time professional chamber choir. World-renowned for their dynamic performances of contemporary music, the group has commissioned, premiered and recorded new works for over 75 years by many of the twentieth century's key composers, including Francis Poulenc, Benjamin Britten, Tippett, Boulez and Berio.

The group performs and records choral music from the sixteenth century to the present day, with regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Television, frequent appearances at the BBC Proms, and a busy concert schedule throughout the UK and abroad.

In addition to working regularly with the BBC's own orchestras, the BBC Singers collaborate with the Britten Sinfonia, the City of London Sinfonia, the Endymion Ensemble, Ensemble Intercontemporain and the London Sinfonietta. Last autumn's season included concerts in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Norwich, and appearances for the Zurich and Huddersfield contemporary music festivals.

The BBC Singers' recordings include a series of six CDs exploring some of the most challenging choral repertoire of the last 150 years; the most recent release is a disc of music by James MacMillan. The BBC Singers have recently appointed Bob Chilcott as Principal Guest Conductor and Edward Cowie as Associate Composer, and offered Conductor Fellowships to two young conductors (Justin Doyle and Aidan Oliver) - a scheme which will offer them training, experience and professional engagements.

The group plays a leading role in the musical life of the BBC as well as the wider musical community, and regular education work helps train and enthuse future generations of voice students, composers and conductors. The BBC Singers continue to explore the farthest reaches of the choral repertoire, and are instrumental in adding to it by commissioning and performing new and challenging works.

Source: BBC Singers Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2003)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Stephen Cleobury

Choir

BWV 63, BWV 150, BWV 182, BWV 225-229

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BBC Singers - Homepage

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