The best of Bach: inspiring music by outstanding singers and players

By Claudia Pritchard on 23/11/2017

Johann Sebastian Bach is in the air as the BBC focuses on the life and work of ever-inspiring composer on Radio 3. And you can catch his masterpieces in live performance in London

Vladimir Jurowski will bring out the drama of Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Christmas Oratorio, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall,

Across the 12 days of Christmas in 1734, in churches in Leipzig, the six elements of JS Bach's great Christmas Oratorio were performed for the first time. Now gathered into one complete work, they reflect on the Christmas story

WHEN

On 16 Dec 2017, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Gerald Kyd plays the murderous composer Gesualdo in Breaking the Rules, at Baroque on the Edge. Photo: Robin Mitchell

Baroque at the Edge, LSO St Luke's

In a brand new festival coming to London in the New Year, leading musicians from many genres interpret music from the Baroque era. Expect performances in traditional form but also theatre, unusual instrumentation and radical programmes

WHEN

05 Jan 2018 – 07 Jan 2018, seven events, times vary

WHERE

LSO St. Luke's
161 Old Street, St. Luke's, Islington, London, EC1V 9NG

Nicholas Mulroy sings the demanding Evangelist part in Bach's masterpiece

Bach's St Matthew Passion, Milton Court

Now one of the most loved works for audiences and performers alike, Bach’s St Matthew Passion went unnoticed for more than 100 years after it was written. Then composer Mendelssohn rescued it... Hear it sung by the BBC Singers

WHEN

On 11 Feb 2018, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

WHERE

Milton Court Concert Hall
1 Milton Street, EC2Y 9BH

Organist Greg Morris will play every note that JS Bach wrote for the organ. Photo: Sam Canetty-Clarke

All Bach's Organ Music, Temple Church and others

Organist Greg Morris performs all the music JS Bach wrote for the organ – a one-man orchestra. Most of the concerts are free, and are in beautiful locations all over London

WHEN

04 Oct 2017 – 05 Jul 2018, 28 concerts, times vary

Mahan Esfahani excites audiences wherever he goes

Mahan Esfahani, Wigmore Hall

Marvel at the virtuosity of award-winning Iranian player Mahan Esfahani as he discovers fantastic new possibilities for the instrument of which JS Bach was a master – the harpsichord

WHEN

09 Feb 2018 – 19 Jun 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP

John Butt conducts the Dunedin Consort in Bach's St Matthew Passion

Bach's St Matthew Passion, Wigmore Hall

With only one voice per part, the intensity of the Dunedin Consort's performance of the St Matthew Passion will bring out the sense of personal involvement in the Easter story

WHEN

On 25 Mar 2018, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE

Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP