Bringing together performers and audiences in
an immersive experience of the complete vocal
works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
The Oxford Bach Soloists (OBS) is a Baroque
ensemble whose ambition is to perform, in
sequence, the complete canon of J. S. Bach’s
vocal works over 12 years. Founded by Tom
Hammond-Davies (Artistic Director) in 2017, OBS
offers a unique musical experience that converges
composer, performer, and audience.
Our mission is distinctive and pioneering:
while there have been many recordings and
performances of the complete vocal works of J. S.
Bach, no ensemble has ever mounted a cycle of
performances in chronological order, programmed
in real-time, and in the context for which they
were conceived. OBS has set out to perform
Bach’s works as he himself would have realised
them with performers, instruments, and venues
that echo the university and churches...
more
Bringing together performers and audiences in
an immersive experience of the complete vocal
works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
The Oxford Bach Soloists (OBS) is a Baroque
ensemble whose ambition is to perform, in
sequence, the complete canon of J. S. Bach’s
vocal works over 12 years. Founded by Tom
Hammond-Davies (Artistic Director) in 2017, OBS
offers a unique musical experience that converges
composer, performer, and audience.
Our mission is distinctive and pioneering:
while there have been many recordings and
performances of the complete vocal works of J. S.
Bach, no ensemble has ever mounted a cycle of
performances in chronological order, programmed
in real-time, and in the context for which they
were conceived. OBS has set out to perform
Bach’s works as he himself would have realised
them with performers, instruments, and venues
that echo the university and churches of Bach’s
hometown of Leipzig.
Bach’s music is community music. He was
famously networked amongst an extended family
of musicians in northern Germany. Today, OBS
champions our local students, scholars, players,
soloists, and amateurs in performances that
mirror the diversity of our community.
OBS is creating long-term sustainable
relationships with state-supported schools to
improve numeracy and literacy skills. With the
help of our regular interventions, we empower
educators to use music as a transformative
teaching tool.
OBS provides the next generation of young
aspiring singers with the opportunity to develop
their solo singing within the musical programme
of the Oxford Bach Soloists. Funded by the
generosity of our donors and foundations, 10
competitively appointed Choral Scholars develop
their skills by taking on step-out solos during
our concerts, and receive professional German
language coaching. They transfer their learning
experience to the rest of the chorus by making up
its core and contribution to its musical integrity.
As a laboratory for current research, OBS draws
from a number of world experts in Oxford,
including specialists from the Faculties of Music,
Theology, History, and Modern Languages. Our
historically informed musicianship allows for a
lively interplay between committed performance
and an immersive experience for the audience.
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