Nederlandse Bachvereniging - Netherlands

The Netherlands Bach Society, founded in Naarden in 1921, is the oldest baroque music ensemble in the world. Its annual performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion, first performed on Good Friday 1922, remains a highly popular tradition.  

To mark its centenary in 2021, the Society has launched the ‘All of Bach’ project, which aims to perform and record all 1,080 of Bach's works. These free, high-quality recordings, released every fortnight, feature members of the ensemble and guest artists.

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Known for its historical interpretations using period instruments, the ensemble presents some fifty concerts around the world each year. Its repertoire covers Bach and his contemporaries, such as Handel and Monteverdi, and is performed by a diverse group of musicians.  

Dedicated to education, the Society works with schools, offering courses and interactive projects to encourage a love of Baroque music. For over a century, it has preserved and shared Bach's legacy, inspiring audiences around the world.

Photo by Simon van Boxtel.