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The Bach Consort performs the music of J.S. Bach, exploring the riches of his more than 200 secular and religious cantatas. Formed in 1992 by bass player Timothy Dawson and baritone Gordon McLeod, The Bach Consort includes a core of members from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and Tafelmusik, as well as some of Canada's most sought-after singers and instrumentalists. Soprano Monica Whicher; mezzo-sopranos Elizabeth Turnbull and and Allyson McHardy; tenors John Tessier, Michael Schade, Benjamin Butterfield and Colin Ainsworth and Lawrence Wiliford; baritones Russell Braun, Brett Polegato and Kevin McMillan. These and many other Bach Consort soloists, have appeared with the Canadian Opera Company, with most Canadian Orchestras, and with major opera companies in North America and Europe.
These artists have lent the gift of J.S. Bach's music, performing for community groups such as Camphill Village Ontario and L'Arche---communities for adults with disabilities---and Settlement House Music School. As well, the ensemble has helped in the fundraising activities of Out of the Cold and Share the Warmth. Their concerts provided these organizations with a musical forum from which they reached out to the public. To that end, the group has recorded two compact discs in aid of charity: The Bach Consort at Camphill and The Bach Consort at L'Arche. In designing its programme, The Bach Consort chooses music to highlight the performers in a variety of solo and ensemble works. This follows the Baroque tradition of creating an obbligato or instrumental solo, which interweaves with the vocal line. The ensemble often performs without a conductor, reaching a musical consensus during rehearsals prior to their concerts. Once this artistic agreement has been forged, The Bach Consort is ready to share the depth and joy of Bach's music with its generous audience.
All their performers sing and play gratis, coming together to raise money for important local charities. The first charity that brought the group together was Camphill Village Ontario, an international group of communities for adults with disabilities. Such was the connection with Camphill that the Bach Consort recorded its first CD for them, called "The Bach Consort at Camphill". Sales of this disc quickly paid back the $10,000 recording costs and went on to raise many additional thousands of dollars for Camphill. On the strength of this first “hit” CD the Bach Consort was invited to record a second CD for L’Arche, another important organization for adults with disabilities. It was aptly named "The Bach Consort at L’Arche". The CD was launched at the annual L’Arche fundraiser where it helped L’Arche to raise over $100,000 that evening. Over the years the Bach Consort has continued its focus on community. Every concert has been connected with two different local Toronto charities. Over $400,000 has been raised for these various organizations. This tradition continues with our November 2014 concert.
J.S. Bach’s profound faith is evident in all his works, resonating with the idea of charity; of helping one another. One hears the repeating message that the riches of this world are not gold – they are the love that they bear for one another. This message couldn’t be timelier today. The Bach Consort, in their small corner, wish to make it a reality at least for one night a year. |
