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Ensemble

 

Bach Consort Leipzig is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The group was founded in 1999 by its current artistic director, Gotthold Schwarz, who is also the Thomaskantor of the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach himself worked as a cantor from 1723 until his death in 1750. The idea for the Bach Consort Leipzig was born out of a desire to perform Bach's music in the context of the liturgical year, as it was originally intended. The group's repertoire includes not only Bach's cantatas, but also his passions, motets, and other sacred works. The ensemble is made up of a core group of singers and instrumentalists, but also collaborates with guest artists and ensembles as needed. One of the highlights of the Bach Consort Leipzig's early years was its participation in the Bachfest Leipzig in 2000, which marked the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. The group performed several of Bach's cantatas in the St. Thomas Church, where the composer himself had premiered many of his works. This performance was a significant milestone for the ensemble, as it helped to establish its reputation as one of the foremost interpreters of Bach's music. Since then, the Bach Consort Leipzig has gone on to perform at many other prestigious venues and festivals, both in Germany and abroad. In 2003, the group made its debut at the Salzburg Festival, where it performed Bach's Mass in B Minor to critical acclaim. The following year, the ensemble was invited to perform at the BBC Proms in London, where it presented a program of Bach's cantatas and motets. In addition to its live performances, the Bach Consort Leipzig has also released several recordings of Bach's music. Its first CD, released in 2002, featured Bach's cantatas for the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and was praised for its "clarity, precision, and expressive power" by Gramophone magazine. Subsequent recordings have included Bach's Christmas Oratorio, his St. Matthew Passion, and his Mass in B Minor. One of the most significant moments in the Bach Consort Leipzig's history came in 2016, when the ensemble was invited to perform at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig as part of the city's celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This was a particularly meaningful performance for the group, as the Thomaskirche was Bach's home church and the site of many of his most important works. The Bach Consort Leipzig performed Bach's cantatas for the Feast of the Reformation, as well as his motet "Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied." Over the years, the Bach Consort Leipzig has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2005, the ensemble was awarded the Echo Klassik award for its recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. The following year, it received the Diapason d'Or award for its recording of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. In 2017, the group was awarded the Bach Medal by the city of Leipzig, in recognition of its contributions to the performance and interpretation of Bach's music. Today, the Bach Consort Leipzig continues to be one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music, both in Germany and around the world. Its performances are known for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and its recordings are widely regarded as some of the finest available.

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