Groningse Bachvereniging
| Company type | Choir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Founder | Gerardus van der Leeuw (proposal), Johan van der Meer (leader) |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Groningen , Netherlands |
Key people | Johan van der Meer, Jos van Veldhoven, Rein de Vries |
| Products | Concert performances, recordings of Baroque music |
The Groningse Bachvereniging was a Dutch mixed choir with semi-professional status, active between 1945 and 1989, distinguished for its specialization in Baroque music performed according to historically informed performance practices. Established and led by Johan van der Meer until 1982, the ensemble consisted of both amateur and semi-professional vocalists.
History
The choir was created in 1945 following a proposal by Gerardus van der Leeuw. Its repertoire covered compositions from the 15th through the 20th centuries, placing particular emphasis on works by Bach. Initial concerts featured Bach’s motets accompanied by instruments, adhering to Baroque stylistic conventions. In recognition of its cultural contributions, the choir was awarded the Groningen province culture prize in 1955.
A significant turning point occurred in 1970 when Van der Meer committed the ensemble exclusively to Baroque music and historically informed interpretation. During preparations for Bach's Magnificat, when the Noordelijk Philharmonic Orchestra was unavailable, Van der Meer arranged for Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus Wien to make their debut performance in the Netherlands.
In 1973, the choir presented the first historically informed rendition of Bach's St Matthew Passion in the Netherlands. This performance featured prominent soloists including Marius van Altena and Max van Egmond, with organists Ton Koopman and Bob van Asperen contributing. The live concert was also recorded. Other notable projects included a 1975 recording of Bach's Mass in B minor at the Holland Festival, collaborating with La Petite Bande under Sigiswald Kuijken, as well as a 1979 recording of Bach's St John Passion in Groningen.
Beyond Bach’s oeuvre, the choir’s performances encompassed compositions by Josquin Desprez, Heinrich Schütz, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, and George Frideric Handel.
Van der Meer’s final concert as conductor took place in 1982, featuring Handel's Israel in Egypt. Following this, Jos van Veldhoven acted as interim leader until Rein de Vries assumed the directorship in 1984. The Groningse Bachvereniging ceased operations in 1989 and subsequently continued its legacy under the name Capella Groningen.