Groningse Bachvereniging (Choir)

Founded: 1945 - Groningen, the Netherlands
Ceased to operate: 1989

The Groningse Bachvereniging was a Dutch semi-professional mixed choir, which existed from 1945 to 1989 and was known for its performances of Baroque music in historically informed performance. It was founded by Johan van der Meer and conducted by him until 1984.

Johan van der Meer founded the choir in 1945 on a suggestion by Gerardus van der Leeuw. The choir was formed by professional and semi-professional singers. While the great oratorios of J.S. Bach were performed by more than 40 singers, only three voices per part sang the six-part St John Passion by Johann Christoph Demantius in 1981.

During the first quarter century, the Groningse Bachvereniging presented music of any style and period from the 15^th to the 20^th century. However, the works of J.S. Bach prevailed. In 1947, J.S. Bach's motets were performed not a cappella, but with instrumental accompaniment, in Baroque performance tradition. In 1955, the choir received the culture prize of Groningen province.

The year 1970 was milestone in the choir's history, when Johan van der Meer devoted himself entirely to Baroque music in historical performance. When the regular orchestra Noordelijk Philharmonic Orchestra was not available for a performance of J.S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243), Johan van der Meer invited Nikolaus Harnoncourt and his Concentus Musicus Wien to the Netherlands for the first time.

In 1973, the choir offered the first historically informed performance in the Netherlands of J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion (BWV 244). The Evangelist was Marius van Altena, the vox Christi was Max van Egmond, the other soloists were three boys from the Tölzer Knabenchor, René Jacobs, Harry Geraerts, Michiel ten Houte de Lange, Frits van Erven Dorens and Harry van der Kamp. Ton Koopman and Bob van Asperen played the organs. The performance was recorded live. In 1975, the choir performed and recorded J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor (BWV 232) at the Holland Festival; the orchestra was La Petite Bande with concert master Sigiswald Kuijken. In 1979, they performed and recorded J.S. Bach's St John Passion (BWV 245) in Groningen, again with Marius van Altena as the Evangelist and Max van Egmond as the vox Christi. The choir also performed vocal compositions of Josquin Desprez, Heinrich Schütz, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and George Frideric Handel.

Johan van der Meer’s farewell concert was in 1984, a performance of G.F. Handel's Israel in Egypt, with the Fiori Musicali and three trombonists from the Musicalische Compagney. After directing the choir for almost 40 years, Johan van der Meer was succeeded by Rein de Vries. In 1989, the Groningse Bachvereniging became the Capella Groningen.

Source: English Wikipedia Website (June 2012)
Contributed by Dr. Walter Hilbrands - Dean of studies, German School of Theology, Gießen, Germany (November 2011)

Johan van der Meer: Short Biography | Koor Groningse Bachvereniging | Recordings of Vocal Works

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Rein de Vries

Choir

[V-4] (1985, Audio): BWV 248/1-6

Links to other Sites

Groningse Bachvereniging (Wikipedia) [German]
Groningse Bachvereniging (Wikipedia) [German]
Capella Groningen (Official Website) [formerly Groningse Bachvereniging, Dutch]

Bibliography

Jolande van der Klis: Johan van der Meer, dirigent Groningse Bachvereniging (1913–2011), in: Tijdschrift Oude Muziek. Bd. 26/2, 2011, S. 16–17 [Dutch, online]
Jolande van der Klis: Een tuitje in de aardkorst. Kroniek van de oude muziek 1976-2006 (Kok, Kampen 2007) [limited preview on Google Book Search]
Emile Wennekes: Nachwelt im Nachbarland. Aspekte der Bach-Pflege in den Niederlanden, ca. 1850-2000, in: Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis. Bd. 50, Nr. 1/2, 2000, S. 110–130 [Dutch]