About Us

The London Bach Society (LBS) was founded in 1946, is the UK’s premier Bach Society and is dedicated to bringing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach ‘live’ to both the devoted follower and curious newcomer. Our story is about a pioneering voyage of continuing musical discovery, innovation and adventure presented in the company of a Who’s Who of solo artistry, and a loyal and enthusiastic public following. Why not follow us on
LBS is part of a  Bach community that is global, one that embraces all four corners of the world. Our President is  Sir David Tang, (pictured) a well-known Hong Kong-based businessman and Patron of the Arts whose flair and imagination has enabled us to present some Bach projects that are just that little bit different and to embrace other art forms – but always with JSB at the centre. Our Artistic Director is Margaret Steinitz whose late husband, the eminent Bach scholar and conductor Paul Steinitz, founded LBS. Visit our Contact Page for Margaret’s biography.

Our Mission

LBS is performance-driven. All it does flows to and from the ‘live’ experience enabling the performer and listener to draw closer to Bach, his music, his life and times and to be inspired and enriched by them. We promote our own professional period-instrument orchestra, Steinitz Bach Players, founded in 1968 and led by the brilliant Rodolfo Richter. We maintain an open and welcoming Membership – anyone can join. We are also supported by private donors, trusts and foundations for our annual Bach Festival, which we call The Bachfest Circle (Visit The Bachfest Circle page to read how you can become involved).  

The Society’s pioneering performances have changed the way we approach the performance of Bach’s music in this country. They have  opened the door to Bach’s magnificent treasury of music for many generations of performers and listeners, and inspired other conductors and musicians to explore the vast corpus of Bach’s music more deeply themselves here in the UK.

Here is a snapshot of our numerous concert series and projects: -

  • First performance in England of Bach’s Matthäus-Passion in its complete and original German form on 22 March 1952
  • First UK performance of Stravinsky’s Canticum Sacrum, 1956
  • The first complete cycle in Britain of Bach’s extant church and secular cantatas to be given in public using professional forces, 29 November 1958 -12 December 1987
  • First use of the clarino trumpet in modern times presented at City of London Festival in July 1962. This was followed later in the 1960s by the first use of the cornett, sackbut and baroque flute, spearheading the period instrument revival of the  1970s
  • Foundation of Steinitz Bach Players in December, 1968
  • Steinitz Bach Players records major series of Bach’s Cantatas on BBC Radio 3; a first for the network using period instruments, 1976
  • London Bach Society Choir with Steinitz Bach Players performs Bach’s Mass in B minor at St. Thomas’ Church Leipzig as part of Martin Luther Year (for his 500th) – supported by the British Council, 1983
  • LBS historic Bach Cantata Cycle completed, December 1987
  • Annual Bach Festival founded in 1990
  • LBS hosts and promotes the first ever visit to the UK by the Leipzig Thomanerchor, 1994
  • The Society’s first education programme promoted within Bachfest in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music, 1997-2001
  • Bach Cantata Services become a feature of Festivals
  • Bach and China at St. James’ Palace for Bach’s 250th, 2000
  • The promotion of the UK live première performance of a newly discovered Bach Aria ‘Alles mit Gott…’ BWV 1127, given at Bachfest in St. John’s, Smith Square,  4 November 2005
  • LBS Diamond Jubilee, 2006-7
  • ‘Dance to Bach’ schools project, 2006-2008
  • The 18-30 Bach Club launched at Bachfest, 2009
  • “Bach for Life” development campaign launched, 2010
  • Bachfest’s 21st anniversary in November 2011

Visit the History page  to read the full story so far….and come and join us.

Your way to Bach begins here… and the keys that will unlock the doors to musical discovery and adventure for you, your family and your friends are held in the various links and throughout our Webpages.

Discover more in our books and database sections and keep up to date with the world of Bach in our regular weblogs.