This concert of Rachmaninoff’s rarely performed work was a very moving occasion made particularly special by the enthusiasm and appreciation of the splendid audience who packed St Paul’s church from all corners of the region to hear this extraordinary work, and gave the performance a standing ovation.

As Martyn Parfect reflected (see review below) When first performed in 1910, the Moscow Synodal School said that this work was  not suitable for church use  “……absolutely wonderful, even too beautiful, but with such music it would be difficult to pray; it is not church music.” Well, they were wrong: it is suitable, and St Paul’s Church was the best place to hear it.

The soloists were much praised: Graham Stroud (choir tenor member) sang both tenor and baritone cantor parts (due to the sudden illness of the baritone William Robinson) and Corinna Gregory (choir soprano member).

What the reviewers said:

"….among the finest in the country is undoubtedly the Birmingham Bach Choir: confident, assured, riveting, exciting.

In setting before his audience a work of staggering beauty and intensity, which scarcely any of them will have encountered before. But also in putting his choir through its paces in a work whose challenge was in itself a tribute from him to its members, an expression of confidence in his singers. What a success. What a treat. And what an achievement.   “

Read more from Roderic Dunnet

"I had to join a long queue of people outside, also eager to hear a rare performance – maybe the first one in Birmingham - and St Paul’s church was packed when I took my seat.

It is a tough ask for a choir to perform such a lengthy unaccompanied work, but this fine ensemble was clearly able to carry it off with aplomb, evident even from the very first Amen."

Read more from Martyn Parfect

.."As always, the choir’s blend of voices under the direction of Paul Spicer was lovely to hear with both the tenors and sopranos in particular excelling in some explosive moments. The work calls for sudden dynamic changes and these were handled convincingly throughout."

Read more from Keith Horsall

Our 2023 Come & Sing of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater was a tremendous success.

Such a gorgeous work.

Thank you to all who came, to all who organised it (led by Heather Gay) and especially to Paul Spicer for inspiring us all, Paul Carr for accompanying us beautifully, and our fabulous 4 x soloists: Corinna Gregory, Judith Moreland,  Ben Thompson, and Philip Bellshaw.

We were joined for the workshop by BBCWM’s Kath Stanczyszym.

 "A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon” and  “Birmingham Bach Choir are fantastic"

(Kath Stanczyszyn, BBCWM)

You can hear in full what she had to say here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dy6f2z (go to 3hrs 40 mins 40 secs )

Come & Sing with Us! 2024

 Saturday 27 April 2 - 6 pm

      A break with tradition!….. from Selly Oak to  Wylde Green URC Church  B73 5SW

Handing out music, the impressive raffle prizes, warm up exercises, our soloists, getting to know people around us, amazing homemade cakes, and having a good sing.

The Cathedral was packed for our concert on November 2022.

Paul Spicer, celebrating 30 years with the Choir:

"I was so proud of the choir this evening. It was a fabulous performance. Life affirming and you all rose to the occasion magnificently. Bravo all round”

Photo memories of the evening at Lichfield, November 2022.

Photographer: Frank Wood

It was a joyous performance in every sense with amazing playing from The Musical & Amicable Society orchestra on their baroque-style instruments, and fabulous soloists: Sofia Ticciati (soprano), James Laing (countertenor), Daniel Auchincloss (tenor), Ashley Riches (baritone) and Thomas  Hobbs (as the Evangelist).

Next Spring we’re back in Lichfield Cathedral with J S Bach:

Saturday 9 March 2024

St Matthew Passion

...an evening of exhilaration, beauty and deep musical satisfaction. Add to this an outstanding period ensemble, first-class soloists and a full cathedral and you will understand why this listener was simply enthralled from start to finish.
Prof David Saint.

Click here to read more

The choir sang with clear diction, with enormous energy and at times with great emotion, especially in their moving rendition of the devotional a capella chorale Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier (I stand here beside your manger).  
Graham Hygate

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Paul Spicers love of Bach certainly shines through in this enthusiastic and well controlled performance and whilst it may signal a close to a 30 year passage of time, it’s clear that there is a special relationship to the area, its musicians and Birmingham itself. In all the occasion, setting, music and performances made it a perfect opening to the Christmas season.
Jeff Grant

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