Introduction

With the Bach 250th anniversary taking place in 2000, there was provided an opportune moment not only to celebrate the composer, but also to use the occasion to promote his works, and, in the process, to create a new and enthusiastic audience at the beginning of a new millennium. To extend and develop this work, a treasury of his works is being added to the LBS website in order to provide a resource that is user-friendly as well as informative. The finished product will be one that has been performance-driven in preparation, rather than the mere assembly of Bach's works in appropriate groups or categories. It is also designed to be fun to explore and pleasing to the eye.

The database is primarily a resource for the performer, the concert planner, and the music librarian as well as the hard-pressed Director of Music when preparing for performances, and one to encourage the presentation of the lesser-known repertory in this vast collection of music.

The introductory notes supplied with each group (Church Cantatas, Latin Church Music etc) are designed to complement the data on the individual pages, to set that group in context and to provide some useful background material that can assist with the writing of any programme notes for concerts, for example. It is hoped that the existence of the Database will encourage more performances of Bach throughout the four corners of the world.

The non-performer will also find the information useful and this will draw the armchair enthusiast into the performing process and make for some interesting browsing. We aim to give assistance to all, from the amateur choral society to the professional specialist, and to give encouragement especially to the newcomer who is curious to know more.

We would appreciate any feedback you may care to give regarding the database, so we may improve on it in the future.

Margaret Steinitz
Artistic Director

Database Entry Points

The Church Cantatas
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

The Secular Cantatas
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

The Motets
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

The Latin Church Music
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

The Oratorios & Passions
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

The Organ Works
Introductory Notes
Notes On Fields

I am indebted to LBS member Richard Smith for setting up the database, keying all the details, checking and re-checking the content alongside my pre and post editorial work, and to Michael Smith for formatting the WebPages so that they are user-friendly, a complement to the existing Website.

Margaret Steinitz