Founded: 1911 - Basel, Switzerland

The Basler Bach-Chor (= BBC) choir was founded in 1911 by the cathedral organist at that time Adolf Hamm, who also led it from 1911 to 1922 and and from 1926 to 1938. He was followed by other well-known directors of music, composer, conservatoire teacher Basel and the region: 1922-1926 Hans Müench, 1939-1954 Walther Müller von Kulm, 1957-1961 Walther Geiser, 1961-1986 Etienne Krähenbühl and since 1986 Joachim Krause.

The Basler Bach-Chor is particularly commited, as its name suggests, to perform the works of J.S. Bach. This is shown up in the annual performances one of his large works. Besides the choir directs its attention also toward music of the 17^th to 20^th centuries, and here in particular on unknown Perlender Tonkunst, in order to supply these to forgetting to entreissen and the interested public. In the 80^th Year of its existence choir was assigned a premiere of compositions by the Basler composer Jost Meier (born 1939) and in 1991 performed for the first time his dramatic cantata Vom Ende der Zeie for soprano solo, spokeswoman and speaker, choir and large orchestra at the music hall of the Stadtcasinos Basel. In co-operation with Gemischen Chor Zürich and the Basel Sinfonietta, Basler Bach-Chor gave a performance of the War Requiem by Benjamin Britten in November 1998, again a very big project. In the case of the choice of the orchestra the Basler Bach-Chor co-operates with the Sinfonieorchester Basel, the Basel Sinfonietta, the Kammerorchester Basel or the Barockorchester Capriccio Basel depending upon work and engagement.

With two experience-rich concerts per year the Basler Bach-Chor, beside the Basel's theatre and the Basel's orchestras, contributes to the cultural life of the city and the region.

Source: Basler Bach-Chor Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2005)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2005)

Joacim Krause: Short Biography | Basler Bach-Chor | Recordings

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Walter Geiser

Choir

BWV 25

Links to other Sites

Basler Bach-Chor (Official Website) [German]

Basler Bach-Chor - Chor (Sinfonietta Archiv) [German]

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