In Australia, there was a deluge of performances of Bach’s music leading into and following that milestone date, 28 July 2000. Many excellent Australian and international musical ensembles and festivals devoted to performing Bach’s music have since presented in public performance most, if not all, of Bach’s entire oeuvre around the country. But the Canberra Bach Ensemble was at the front of that wave back in 1999, and many of the Cantatas that the CBE performed were not only first performances in Canberra, but we suspect may have indeed been first performances in Australia. (N.B. we are currently investigating this claim – we’ll get back to you with an update…) 

Since 2000, the world has changed. Canberra has changed. Since the CBE last performed, the growth in the substance and quality of music making in this city has been extraordinary and expansive. Many excellent resident and visiting musicians and ensembles have made and continue to make stellar contributions to music making in this town.

The time has arrived for the CANBERRA BACH ENSEMBLE to take its place again within the firmament of Canberra’s music-making life. We look forward to engaging many of this city’s fine musicians and presenting our audiences with energetic performances of the wondrous music of our beloved composer, the musician’s musician, Johann Sebastian Bach…