Come and join us as we perform music for Lent on 27 March at 6.30pm, in the church of St Mary at Hill in the City of London. Bach wrote very few cantatas suitable for Lent, because in the run-up to Easter, Leipzig observed tempus clausam, when ornate church music was not permitted. However, one cantata dating from his earlier employment in Weimar sets a Lenten text. This is BWV 54, Widerstehe doch der Sünde which is for solo alto. It will be sung in our performance by countertenor Tristram Cooke (pictured). The rest of the service will feature other beautiful music from the pre-Easter period, performed by our singers and period instrumentalists. This service is hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church.

Everyone is welcome (you don’t need to be religious) and entrance is free with a voluntary collection. We look forward to seeing you and sharing Bach’s wonderful music.

Come and join us for Bach Vespers on 27 February at 6.30pm, at St Mary at Hill in the City of London. We present Bach’s cantata BWV 22, Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe. Bach composed this dramatic and varied cantata in 1723 as an audition piece for the post of Cantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig (pictured). It clearly did the trick, as Bach got the job and remained in it for the rest of his life. We’ll also perform other vocal and instrumental music of the German Baroque, on period instruments.

The service is hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church and there will be a guest preacher from America.

Attendance is free with a voluntary collection, and you don’t have to be religious to attend. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there to share Bach’s wonderful music!

The first Bach Vespers of the new year takes place on 30 January at 6.30pm, at the church of St Mary at Hill in the City of London, hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church. We perform Bach’s cantata BWV 81, Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? This is based on the story of Jesus calming the storm (depicted here by Rembrandt), and features a fine musical depiction of a storm, with rushing scales in the strings. The bass singer takes the role of Christ, bringing the waves under control. This cantata also features recorders and oboes d’amore. Our singers and period instrument players will also perform other music of the German baroque.

In particular, we will play an instrumental piece in memory of our friend and longstanding City Bach Collective member, Philip Yeeles (pictured), who passed away in December.

Do come and join us and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome (you don’t need to be religious) and attendance is free with a voluntary collection. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing Bach’s wonderful music!

Future Bach Vespers dates this Spring: 27 February (BWV 22), and 27 March (BWV 54).

We were devastated to hear of the death of our friend and violinist colleague Philip Yeeles on 24 December. Phil was a longstanding member of the City Bach Collective, and performed regularly at Bach Vespers for over fifteen years. A loyal friend and dedicated musician, Phil’s enthusiasm and optimism was an inspiration to us all. RIP Phil. We will miss you very much.

On 26 December the instrumentalists of the City Bach Collective join the choir of the American International Church to perform Bach’s cantata BWV 40, Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes. This fabulous cantata showcases the horns, with virtuosic writing to create a festive flavour. The performance will be directed by Scott Stroman, director of music at the American Church, as part of the Sunday morning service, starting at 11am. The American International Church is in Tottenham Court Road, London. All are welcome.

The next Bach Vespers service for St Anne’s Lutheran Church at St Mary at Hill will be on 30 January at 6.30pm, with BWV 81, Jesus schläft was soll ich hoffen?