Bach Collegium Japan

Choir and Orchestra

The Bach Collegium Japan was founded in 1990 by Masaaki Suzuki, who remains its music Director, with the aim of introducing Japanese audiences to period instrument performances of great works from the baroque period. BCJ is comprised of both baroque orchestra and chorus, and their major activities include an annual concert series of Bach’s cantatas and a number of instrumental programs.

Since 1995 they have acquired a formidable reputation through their recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Church Cantatas for the BIS label. By November 2008 they had already released 41 CDs of J.S.Bach’s Church Cantatas.

BCJ recently extended its activities to the international music scene with appearances at major festivals in cities such as Santiago de Compostela, Tel Aviv, Leipzig and Melbourne in 2000, the 250th anniversary year of Bach’s death. In 2001 BCJ had great success in Italy, with concerts in Milan, Rome and Florence, and in March of the following year performed 7 concerts in both Italy and Spain.

BCJ made a highly successful North American debut in April 2003 with 7 concerts in 6 cities all across the United States: at Carnegie Hall in New York, in Los Angeles, Berkeley, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids & Boston, performing the St. Matthew & St. John Passion of J. S. Bach. In May 2005, BCJ performed in Seoul, and in August, appeared Germany at Ansbach Bachwhoche and Schleswig Holstein Music Festival.

In 2006, BCJ toured the US with Instrumental Ensemble in Berkeley, LA, Bethlehem, Washington, NY(Zankel Hall/Carnegie), also Masaaki Suzuki's Recital in Burlington & NY(Weill Hall/Carnegie). Afterwards in May 2006, BCJ performed 10 concerts in 5 countries in Europe which includes the debut in Madrid, Amsterdam at Concertgebouw, London at the Barbican performing the b-minor mass, and Magnificat of J.S.Bach. In August 2007, BCJ performed St.Matthew Passion at 2 Festivals in Schwabisch Gmund & Ansbach in Germany, and made its BBC Proms debut with Cantata programme.

In November 2008, BCJ returned to Europe 11 concerts, including theie debut in Paris, Dresden, Berlin and Brussels.

In January 2009, BCJ appeard at Canary Islands' Music Festival, and in August BCJ appeared at Edinburgh International Festival with Handel/Rinaldo & J.S.Bach/Cantatas, also performed at Bremen Festival.　






*WorldwideRepresentation excluding North America : Hazard Chase Limited

Contact
Mr.Roderick Thomson
Director: Artist & Project Management
Email : Roderick.Thomson@hazardchase.co.uk
Switchboard: +44 (0) 20 7636 5440
Direct Line: +44 (0) 20 7636 5451
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7636 5115