CONDUCTOR CELEBRATES MILESTONE
THREE years on from celebrating their centenary, Birmingham Bach Choir celebrate another landmark as their 2022-2023 season marks 30 years since Paul Spicer became conductor.
“My first concert was a programme of English 20th century music celebrating the centenary of the birth of my teacher, Herbert Howells,” recalls Paul of his Birmingham Bach Choir debut, admitting it initially proved a challenge.
“These days the choir would easily manage such a programme, and it’s a mark of how far we have travelled in the last 30 years that they can take whatever is thrown at them and make it shine!”
Looking back over his threedecade tenure, the Lichfieldbased author, tutor and composer says the highlights have been many, including a run of Bach’s St. Matthew Passions at Symphony Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra, and a “thrilling” performance of Bach’s B minor Mass at the same venue. He’s also proud of performances of two of his own compositions.
“The Easter Oratorio, which the choir recorded and which was Editor’s Choice in the Gramophone and compared with Howells’s Hymnus Paradisi (at which I blush!), and my choral symphony Unfinished Remembering, composed for the centenary of the Great War and premiered in Symphony Hall in 2014.”
Looking ahead, the 20222023 season has much to offer, including Rachmaninov’s Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.
“But immediately, of course, there’s my 30th anniversary concert in Lichfield Cathedral – Bach’s Christmas Oratorio which will be a very special concert. The choir are on top form and working with the wonderful period instrument orchestra The Musical and Amicable Society, as well as top flight soloists.”
On the choir, he says: “It has been – and continues to be – one of the great privileges of my life to have had this remarkable group to direct.”
Birmingham Bach Choir: JS Bach Christmas Oratorio is at Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday November 19. Details: birmingham.bachchoir.com