Groningse Bachvereniging
The Groningse Bachvereniging was a Dutch choir, which was from 1945 to 1989 and became known for his performances of Baroque music in historical performance practice.
History
Johan van der Meer founded the choir in 1945 to the excitement of Gerardus van der Leeuw, who was a follower of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Characteristic of the composition of the choir was from the beginning the mixture of professional and semi- professional singers. While for the great oratorios of Johann Sebastian Bach more than 40 singers were used, each part was in the six-part John Passion by Johann Christoph Demantius, which was performed in 1981, occupied only three times.
In the first quarter century of its existence the Groningse Bachvereniging was set to no stylistic period and presented music from all periods from the 15th to the 20th century and from a wide variety of composers. However, the works of Bach took a prominent place. In 1947, the Groningse Bachvereniging led the first European Choir The Bach Motets not a cappella, but with instrumental accompaniment, corresponding to the handwritten instrumental parts of Bach or the usual baroque performance tradition. In 1955, the Bach Society Culture Prize in the province of Groningen.
The year 1970 was formed in the choir history a crucial milestone by van der Meer himself to the Baroque music in historical performance practice turning. Up to this point, " Noordelijk Philharmonic Orchestra " the constant accompaniment for the choir had been. As the orchestra for the performance of Bach's Magnificat was not available, van der Meer invited Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Concentus Musicus Wien in the Netherlands and led the Magnificat in the Netherlands for the first time in historical cast on.
In 1973, the Dutch premiere of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with period instruments in an authentic way of playing. The Orchestra of the Alarius ensemble and " musica da camera " was made up of members of the Leonhardt Consort, together. Vocalists were Marius van Altena (Evangelist ), Max van Egmond ( Christ ), three boy soloists of the Tölz Boys' Choir, René Jacobs ( Altus ), Harry Geraerts and Michiel ten Houte de Lange (tenor ) and Frits van Erven Doren and Harry van der Kamp ( bass). At the organ had Ton Koopman and Bob van Asperen. Due to the competition with the traditional Passion performances by De Nederlandse Bachvereniging in Naarden and damage to the reputation Groningse Bachverenigung to go out of the way, found the performances take place in Sappemeer and Schiedam. Concerts excited a great sensation and established the Groningse Bachvereniging and historical performance practice in the Netherlands. 1975 was followed by a concert with Bach's B Minor Mass ( with La Petite Bande under Sigiswald Kuijken ) and 1979 's St. John Passion ( with Fiori musicali under Thomas Albert). Another partner was Ton Koopman and his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra. Tributary were vocal compositions by Josquin Desprez, Heinrich Schütz, Sweelinck and George Frideric Handel on the program.
Unlike most other members of the early music movement van der Meer was no friend of the fast tempos. He was located at a noticeable and dramatic declamation of the text within the meaning of the Baroque musical rhetoric. The Groningse Bachvereniging was known for her vibrato-free, almost cutting sound with pure intervals, the Messa di voce in the form of a purchase and deswelling on long tones and a clear marking of the downbeats in tact.
Van der Meer farewell concert was formed in 1984, the performance of Handel's Israel in Egypt, at the Fiori musicali and three trombonists in the Musicalisches Compagney participated. After van der Meer had directed the choir for almost 40 years, bassist Rein de Vries took over the succession. In 1989, the Groningse Bachvereniging went on in the Capella Groningen.