Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

The American Bach Soloists (ABS) is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Baroque music, particularly the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Founded in 1989 by Jeffrey Thomas, the ensemble has become one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music in the United States. Jeffrey Thomas, a conductor and countertenor, founded the American Bach Soloists in San Francisco with the goal of creating a professional ensemble that would perform the music of Bach and other Baroque composers with historical accuracy and authenticity. Thomas had previously founded the Midsummer Mozart Festival in 1974 and had conducted numerous performances of Bach's music with other ensembles, but he felt that there was a need for a dedicated Bach ensemble in the Bay Area. The early years of the American Bach Soloists were marked by a series of concerts and recordings that established the ensemble's reputation for excellence. In 1992, the ABS released its first recording, a collection of Bach's cantatas, which was praised by critics for its clarity and precision. The ensemble also began to perform regularly at the Berkeley Festival and Exhibition, a biennial event that celebrates the music of the Baroque era. Over the years, the American Bach Soloists have expanded their repertoire to include works by other Baroque composers, such as Handel, Vivaldi, and Purcell. However, Bach remains the ensemble's primary focus, and they have performed all of his major choral works, including the Mass in B Minor, the St. John Passion, and the St. Matthew Passion. The American Bach Soloists are known for their commitment to historical performance practice, which involves using period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound of music as it would have been heard in the composer's time. This approach requires a high level of skill and expertise, and the ABS has assembled a group of musicians who are among the best in the field. The ensemble's core members include Jeffrey Thomas, who serves as artistic director and conductor, and Elizabeth Blumenstock, who is the concertmaster and a renowned Baroque violinist. Other notable members include William Skeen, a cellist who has performed with many of the world's leading Baroque ensembles, and Corey Jamason, a harpsichordist who is also a respected scholar of Baroque music. The American Bach Soloists have performed at many of the world's leading concert halls and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Oregon Bach Festival. They have also collaborated with other leading musicians and ensembles, such as mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. In addition to their live performances, the American Bach Soloists have released numerous recordings, many of which have received critical acclaim. Their recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor was named one of the top classical recordings of 2010 by The New York Times, and their recording of Handel's Messiah was praised by Gramophone magazine for its "clarity, precision, and vitality." The American Bach Soloists have received numerous awards and honors over the years, including a Grammy nomination for their recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor and a prestigious NEA grant in 2015. They have also been recognized for their educational outreach programs, which include workshops, masterclasses, and performances for schoolchildren.

More....