Upcoming Concerts
Enthusiasts in Leicester and Leicestershire have been enjoying our concerts for 95 years.
We find the heart of classics from Bach to Rachmaninov, the soul of C20 English works by Vaughan Williams, Finzi & Britten, and the profound in C21 composers like Gjeilo & Whitacre.
Whatever your taste you will find a warm welcome, and wonderful music to enjoy.
A photo montage of our December 2023 Messiah Concert
“…that’s the beauty of having the Leicester Bach choir with us: the sound, the repertoire, the shared concentration of being in a live concert. Let’s hope this group of people will continue singing the music they like: difficult, uncompromising and compelling.”
“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your concert on Saturday evening – it was such a moving experience and I felt it was a privilege to be there. The whole programme was put together with such care. How lovely to hear that cello accompanying many of the pieces, and what an inspired idea to ask the audience not to applaud between items. It meant we could all take a deep breath and really appreciate each item.”
“The Leicester Bach Choir and their musical director Richard Laing once again presented an evening of moving and inspiring music in the magical setting of St James the Greater.”
Leicester Bach Choir
"A friendly bunch who take the music but not ourselves seriously"
“The Leicester Bach Choir’s performance of Handel’s Messiah on 9 December was a triumph – combining passion, intensity, pace and an exquisite interplay of voices within the choir and with the excellent soloists. It provoked a deserved and extended standing ovation from a full hall. This is an excellent choir at the peak of its powers.” Sir Alan Tuckett
…
“I listened to a recording of MESSIAH while driving home last night, and it had none of the dynamic range and theatricality of the choruses in your version. I am full of admiration for both conductor and chorus.” Ex-Musical Director of the National Theatre
Our Blog & Past Concerts
See details of recent Leicester Bach Choir concerts and reviews.
Review :: Tavener, Nystedt, Ola Gjeilo, Arensky, Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Arvo Pärt
Saturday 8th June 2013 at 7.30 in St James the Greater Church, Leicester, with Rowena Calvert, ‘cello, directed by Richard Laing. This varied and fine example of programme building was played to a smaller than usual audience. Those who stayed away because of ‘modern’...
Rheinberger: Mass in E flat for Double choir ‘Cantus Missae’ Kodály: Missa Brevis
Saturday 23rd March 2013 at 7.30 in St James the Greater Church, Leicester. Rheinberger: Mass in E flat for double choir, interspersed with choice organ music; Kodaly: Missa Brevis for choir and organ; coda – Abendlied – Evening Song. From the ridiculous to the...
A Night of Contrasts: Rachmaninov Vespers and Mendelssohn Hymns
On a chilly December evening in 2011, the Leicester Bach Choir delivered an unforgettable concert at St. James the Greater Church, undeterred by a nearby performance of Handel’s Messiah. The dedicated audience was treated to a night of contrasts, where the grandeur of...
Leicester Mercury Review: Leicester Bach Choir Summer Concert 2011
The Leicester Bach Choir’s 2011 summer concert was an exquisite showcase of 20th-century French music, impressively conducted and performed. The program opened with Gabriel Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, a serene and meditative piece. The choir's interpretation was...
Leicester Bach Choir Shines in Diverse Program at Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Mercury Review (reworded for blog length autumn 2024). The Leicester Bach Choir’s performance on November 13, 2010, marked another impressive showcase of their musical talent under the leadership of conductor Richard Laing. After several concerts in the...
An Evening of Passion and Precision: Leicester Bach Choir’s Exhilarating 20th Century Program
The Leicester Bach Choir, under the direction of Richard Laing, has become a remarkable ensemble, as showcased in their June 12, 2010 performance. The choir has developed a distinctive musical identity under Laing’s leadership, with a dynamic blend of purpose and...