Ottawa (Canada) – The JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the final concert of its 22^nd season, Leipzig 1723, on Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8:00 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 82 Kent Street, in Ottawa. The concert features exquisite German baroque cantatas by the candidates for Thomaskantor in Leipzig: Telemann, Graupner and Bach. Works include Telemann’s Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, TWV 7:30; Graupner’s Aus der Tiefen rufen wir, GWV 1113/23a; and Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75, the first cantata Bach composed for his new post as Thomaskantor in Leipzig. Accompanied by Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra, organist Matthew Larkin and talented soloists from the choir, this brilliant concert will close the season with a fluorish.

“In honour of the 300^th anniversary of Bach’s tenure as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, we are thrilled to present magnificent cantatas by the three main candidates considered for the position, Telemann, Graupner and Bach,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “Hear these rarely performed gems by the leading German composers of the day and immerse yourself in this timeless music, performed with the distinguished Baroque orchestra Ensemble Caprice and soloists. A glorious experience you won’t want to miss!”    

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers audiences a wide range of choral music of the finest quality, performing music from all historical periods while keeping Bach’s choral oeuvre as the focus of its repertoire. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, Europe, the United States and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014. The choir’s eighth album, Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets, on the ATMA Classique label, critically acclaimed as “one of the finest on record” (The WholeNote), is available on all streaming platforms as well as on the choir’s website.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Karen Frank, General Manager, karen.frank@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and soloists

Lisette Canton, conductor

Leipzig 1723

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8:00 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 82 Kent Street, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $55, Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the second concert of its 22^nd season, The Maestro of San Marco, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, 8:00 p.m., at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, in Ottawa. The concert features sacred and profane music by Claudio Monteverdi, who was Maestro di cappella of San Marco in Venice over the course of 30 years, from 1613-1643. Works include his Messa a quattro voci da cappella and selected Madrigals from Books 1-8, a prolific output of works that marked the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. The choir is joined by a chamber instrumental ensemble and soloists from the choir.

“We are delighted to present rarely heard music by the Italian Baroque master, Claudio Monteverdi, which traces the journey from the balanced counterpoint of the Renaissance to the dramatic text-inspired music of the Baroque,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “Experience this passionate music in both the sacred and profane contexts – you’re sure to be inspired!”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers audiences a wide range of choral music of the finest quality, performing music from all historical periods while keeping Bach’s choral oeuvre as the focus of its repertoire. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, Europe, the United States and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014. The choir’s eighth album, Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets, on the ATMA Classique label, critically acclaimed as “one of the finest on record” (The WholeNote), is available on all streaming platforms as well as on the choir’s website.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Karen Frank, General Manager, karen.frank@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with chamber ensemble and soloists

Lisette Canton, conductor

The Maestro of San Marco

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 8:00 p.m.

Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $55, Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the first concert of its 22^nd season, Magnificat, on Saturday, December 2, 2023, 8:00 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Avenue, in Ottawa. The concert features settings of the Magnificat, including the original setting by Johann Sebastian Bach, composed for his first Christmas in Leipzig in 1723, as well as settings by Jan Dismas Zelenka and Heinrich Biber, both originally from the Czech Republic, and the Italian Isabella Leonarda, Also included is the virtuosic cantata for solo soprano and trumpet by Bach, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51. The Theatre of Early Music baroque orchestra joins the choir, along with guest soloists, soprano Myriam Leblanc, countertenor Daniel Taylor, tenor Owen McCausland, and bass Alex Dobson.

“We are thrilled to open our 22^nd season with an array of spectacular and rarely heard settings of the Magnificat, culminating in the original music Bach composed as Thomaskantor in Leipzig in 1723, along with virtuosic music for solo soprano and trumpet,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “Come share our passion as we celebrate this festive season with magnificent works from the Baroque period with some of today’s leading musicians in this style—you won’t want to miss it!”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers audiences a wide range of choral music of the finest quality, performing music from all historical periods while keeping Bach’s choral oeuvre as the focus of its repertoire. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, Europe, the United States and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014. The choir’s eighth album, Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets, on the ATMA Classique label, “one of the finest on record” (The WholeNote), is available on all streaming platforms as well as on the choir’s website.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Elena Goubanova, Administrative Manager, elena.goubanova@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with Theatre of Early Music baroque orchestra; Daniel Taylor, artistic director

Guest soloists: soprano Myriam Leblanc, countertenor Daniel Taylor, tenor Owen McCausland, and bass Alex Dobson

Lisette Canton, conductor

Magnificat

Saturday, December 2, 2023, 8:00 p.m.

St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $55, Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

THE WHOLE NOTE

VOCAL AND CHORAL

Bach: Six Motets – Ottawa Bach Choir; Lisette Canton

Written by Matthew Whitfield

Category: Vocal and Choral

Published: 14 September 2023

Bach – Six Motets Ottawa Bach Choir;

Lisette Canton

ATMA ACD2 2836 (atmaclassique.com/en)

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the Juno Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) is an ensemble which specializes in the performance of early music, with a particular emphasis on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Their latest release, titled Six Motets, is a monumental effort featuring Bach’s choral motets, noted for their complexity, profundity and breathtaking beauty. This recording begins with a thrilling rendition of Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV225, which launches at breakneck speed through passages of virtuosic counterpoint and driving rhythmic patterns, eases into a luxurious aria and returns with fiery energy for the conclusion. Such focus on rhythm and clarity is a defining feature of this entire disc, which brings Bach’s music to life in an illuminative and vital way. Perhaps the most exceptional excerpt of OBC’s Six Motets is the monolithic Jesu, meine Freude BWV227, an 11-movement work for five-part chorus that spans a tremendous range of moods and affects. Here the choir offers a masterclass in precision and execution, but never at the expense of musicality. The opening chorale is well-paced, expertly phrased and subtly expressive, the devilish “Trotz dem alten Drachen” is one of the best this reviewer has encountered, and the lyrical “Gute Nacht, o Wesen” is hauntingly beautiful. In a market saturated with recordings of Bach’s famous motets, it could be challenging to rationalize yet another addition to the catalogue, yet this effort from the OBC holds its own as one of the finest on record. There is not a weak point present and, whether familiar or not with these legendary works, Six Motets is highly recommended listening for all.

To purchase the CD: https://ottawabachchoir.ca/en/product/bach-six-motets/

PANM 360

OTTAWA BACH CHOIR – SIX MOTETS

by Elena Mandolini

“Johann Sebastian Bach’s six motets are part of the well-known repertoire of choral music. Despite (or perhaps thanks to) their great popularity, numerous recordings of these works exist, always offering a renewed listening experience. The Ottawa Bach Choir, under the direction of Lisette Canton, presents an exceptional interpretation of it in its most recent album, released on the ATMA Classique label. Since 2002, the choir has offered an exploration of choral music through the ages, but always keeping Bach’s work at the heart of its repertoire. Joining the choir are musicians Jonathan Oldengram (organ), Matthew Larkin (harpsichord), Lucas Harris (theorbo), Jean-Christophe Lizotte (cello) and Reuven Rothman (double bass). We will appreciate on the album the lively and nuanced interpretation of Bach’s motets. Each voice (human or instrumental) is distinct, we hear all the subtleties of the compositions. But you can also take a step back and appreciate the overall effect, where each detail fits together precisely. The contrast effects and the interpretation of nuances, forte or piano, are very successful and contribute to this dynamism that can be heard throughout the listening. All these elements also create a depth to the sound, which allows you to immerse yourself in listening.”

© April 27, 2023

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC), under the artistic direction of Lisette Canton, invites you to join us for our  22^nd season of magnificent choral music! The professional ensemble has travelled the world, received national and international recognition, and also won a 2020 JUNO award for Best Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, for its album Handel: Dixit Dominus, Bach & Schütz: Motets! The choir has just released its 8^th album, Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Motets, on the ATMA Classique label, and returned from Bachfest Leipzig 2022 last June, the choir’s second invitation to the prestigious festival.

The Subscription Series 2023-24 offers three sublime concerts:

(1) Magnificat, Saturday, December 2, 2023, 8 PM, St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa

(2) The Maestro of San Marco, Saturday, March 2, 2024, 8 PM, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Avenue, Ottawa

(3) Leipzig 1723, Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8 PM, St. Andrew’s Church, 82 Kent Street, Ottawa

Come share our passion and discover the best that choral music has to offer!

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) releases its newest album of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Motets on the ATMA Classique label. The album features Bach’s stunning motets, including Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225; Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227; Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226; Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229; Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir, BWV 228; and Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230. An expanded baroque continuo accompanies the choir, featuring Jonathan Oldengarm, organ; Jean-Christophe Lizotte, cello; Reuven Rothman, double bass; Matthew Larkin, harpsichord; and Lucas Harris, theorbo.

“Bach’s virtuosic motets are among the greatest achievements of choral polyphony and form the pinnacle of the genre,” says Founder and Artistic Director Lisette Canton. “Written for 4 to 8 voices, the texts, formal construction and textures are drawn from the German motet tradition and brilliantly display the magnificent sound of the choir in this fantastic recording.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and has just returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, this past June 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Lee-Ann Brodeur, Administrative Manager, leeann.brodeur@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Lisette Canton, conductor                                                         

Copies are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca, or on all streaming platforms.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the final concert of its 21^st season, Spring Serenade, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8:00pm, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, in Ottawa. This concert will feature Haydn’s exquisite Mehrstimmige Gesänge (13 Partsongs), as well as works by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Clara Schumann, Ottawa native Nicholas Piper, Clément Janequin, Claude Le Jeune, and more. Pianist Elaine Keillor joins the choir for this sublime presentation. 

“Join the OBC for a concert celebrating the coing of Spring with Haydn’s rarely heard part-songs, along with exquisite lieder and chansons, including works by Ottawa native Nicholas Piper,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “We invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season with this magnificent music.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. Audiences will enjoy an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best, through the combining of scholarly and emotional approaches to performances. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June of 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, Europe, the United States and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014. J.S. Bach: Six Motets, the choir’s eighth album, will be released on April 14, 2023 and is now available for pre-order from ATMA Classique.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Lee-Ann Brodeur, Administrative Manager, leeann.brodeur@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Lisette Canton, conductor                                             

Spring Serenade

with pianist Elaine Keillor

Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8:00pm

Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $50, Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the second concert of its 21^st season, Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 8:00pm. This concert features the chamber version for piano four-hands, arranged by the composer himself, along with works by Telemann and Bach.  Joined by pianists Matthew Larkin and Frédéric Lacroix, and soloists, soprano Jonelle Sills and baritone Geoffrey Sirett, this spectacular concert will be performed at St. Matthew’s Church, in Ottawa, 130 Glebe Avenue. 

“For our second concert, we present one of the greatest choral works ever written, Brahms’ German Requiem,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “With some of Canada’s finest soloists, coupled with some fabulous German motets by Bach and Telemann, this concert promises to inspire us all. Join us for this moving presentation.”

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the Ottawa Bach Choir offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, and has just returned from the prestigious international festival, Bachfest Leipzig, this past June 2022. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, Europe, the United States and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014. The OBC will release its 8^th album, J.S. Bach: Six Motets, in April 2023.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Lee-Ann Brodeur, Administrative Manager, leeann.brodeur@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with pianists Matthew Larkin and Frédéric Lacroix, and soloists, soprano Jonelle Sills and baritone Geoffrey Sirett

Dr. Lisette Canton, conductor                                      

Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem

Saturday, March 11, 2023, 8:00pm

St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $50, Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca