Galileo Baroque Choir presents “Seven Bachs”: Choral Rarities from the Legendary Musical Family

Galileo Baroque Choir, a new ensemble founded by early music specialist Andrew Pickett, will perform works by seven different members of the Bach musical family in their début programme, “Seven Bachs,” on Sunday, November 18.

The new chamber choir is made up of some of Halifax’s finest choral musicians, including trained professionals, experienced veterans and gifted young singers from a wide range of backgrounds, representing many of the city’s top choirs; the group began rehearsing in September, accompanied by Lynette Wahlstrom. The concert will feature guest artists Garth MacPhee, continuo organ, and Hilary Brown, cello.

The programme includes motets (religious anthems), some very rare, written by members of the Bach family in Germany over a period of about 150 years. In addition to works by J.S. Bach and his famous son Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach, the programme also features works by relatives across four generations, with names like Johann Ernst, Johann Christoph, and Johann Ludwig (evidently Johann was a popular name in the family!)

Creating the programme took several weeks, including virtual visits to digital libraries in Germany and Poland to view manuscripts of rare pieces, some of which we believe may never have been performed in Halifax before, or even in Canada. Some are sparkling, some are haunting, some are moving, and all are very beautiful.

Galileo Baroque Choir will perform “Seven Bachs” at First Baptist Church, 1300 Oxford St, Halifax, Sunday, November 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission is $20 ($10 students) at the door. The audience is invited to join the choir for a small reception after the concert.