Founded: 1921 - Holland

Het Bach Koor Holland (The Holland Bach Choir) was founded in 1921 by Johan Schoonderbeek to serve as the choir of the Netherlands Bach Society. In 1927 Evert Cornelis took over the direction of the choir. After Cornelis its most important conductors have been Anton van der Horst and Charles de Wolff. The choir became an independent unit at the beginning of 1983.

Featuring prominently in the extensive repertoire of the Holland Bach Choir are Bach's B minor Mass (BWV 232), Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248), St. John Passion (BWV 245), and St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244). Also in the repertoire are compositions by Maurice Duruflé, Milhaud, Dallapiccola, Arthur Honegger, Händel, and Scarlatti. The choir is made up of professional and semi-professional vocalists and has long had a close relationship with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble made up of members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The Holland Bach Choir has also worked closely with The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra.

Over the years the Holland Bach Choir has made various concert tours in Germany and Denmark and has performed in the Swiss Bach Festival and the Festival of Helsinki. In 1984, at the Festival of Lille, the Holland Bach Choir performed Bach's B minor Mass (BWV 232) with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra.. It also frequently performs in radio and television broadcasts.

Source: Liner notes to the album ‘J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion’ conducted by Charles de Wolff (Vanguard Classics, 1995)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2003)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Charles de Wolff

Choir

BWV 245

Links to other Sites

Bachkoor Holland (Official Website) [Dutch]

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