Bach-Chor Bonn


The Bach-Chor Bonn is a large concert choir and oratorio choir in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded by Gustav Classens in 1949 as Bonner Bach-Gemeinschaft, and has its present name officially since 2012. It has performed internationally, and recorded. Originally founded specifically to perform the works of its namesake Johann Sebastian Bach, the repertoire now contains major compositions of all periods including contemporary works. The choir has a long tradition of tours to European countries.

History

In 1949, Gustav Classens, the municipal music director of Bonn and conductor of the orchestra in Lombardy. In September 1995, the choir joined the Chor der Staatsphilharmonie Kraków Ein deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms in a memorial concert 50 years after the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. A tour in summer 2006 of a cappella music had concerts in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Poland, with concerts in Kamień Pomorski and Stargard. Gardeweg was succeeded by, in 2010 followed by.
Markus Mostert has directed the choir since 2017. The choir has around 80 members. Its programs focus on concerts with orchestra, often in the Beethovenhalle and as guests in other cities and countries.

Repertoire

The Bach-Chor Bonn has performed more than 130 works, especially more than 40 works by Bach including the St Matthew Passion, the Mass in B minor, the Christmas Oratorio, the St John Passion and the Magnificat. Works by Handel include oratorio's such as Judas Maccabaeus and Messiah.
Haydn's works include the oratorio's Die Jahreszeiten and Die Schöpfung, and masses such as Schöpfungsmesse and Harmoniemesse. The choir has performed Beethoven's Missa solemnis, Schubert's masses No. 5 in A-flat major and No. 6 in E-flat major. Major works from the Romantic period have been Schumann's Requiem in D-flat major, Ein deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms, Rossini's Stabat mater, Fauré's Requiem, Dvořák's Mass in D major and Verdi's Requiem. Works from the 20th century have included Schönberg's Gurre-Lieder and Britten's War Requiem.

Choral conductors

The choir was directed by:
  • 1949–1971: Gustav Classens
  • 1972–1975: Roland Bader
  • 1976–1990:
  • 1991–2006:
  • 2007–2009:
  • 2010–2016:
  • from 2017: Markus Mostert

    Recordings

  • Bruckner: Requiem. Siegerland-Orchester, cond. Herbert Ermert; Aulos-Schallplatten-Produktion, Viersen; Vertrieb: Fono-Schallplattengesellschaft, Münster, 1981.
  • Johann Simon Mayr: Samuele. First recording. Orchestra Accademia di Stato di Minsk, cond. Pierangelo Pelucchi; Fono-Schallplattengesellschaft, Laer.
  • Cherubini: Requiem / Bruckner: Requiem, cond. Herbert Ermert; Musikado Köln.