About Us
The Philadelphia Bach Collective was created out of a desire to showcase the vast talents of local Philadelphia musicians who specialize in music of the Baroque in the city of Philadelphia.
The music of J.S. Bach forms the cornerstone of high Baroque repertoire. His cantatas in particular speak to the human condition in every passion and state, regardless of faith. Philadelphia boasts a thriving community of internationally renowned vocal and instrumental early music specialists, but currently has no regular performance outlet for this repertory. The Philadelphia Bach Collective aims to serve our city by making the works of J.S. Bach available to all, as well as to nurture our musical community.
Affiliate Ensembles
Variant 6 is a vocal chamber ensemble that explores the expressive potential of the human voice through music that is at once virtuosic, poignant, and approachable. Composed of artists with a diverse set of skills and a wide range of expertise, we seek out repertoire that embodies this potential. We collaborate with artists of many disciplines, creating refreshing interpretations of music of the past and innovative premieres of new works. Our concerts are unique and intimate musical experiences that foster deep conversation between artists and audience.
Our approachable and collaborative projects create an environment where audiences of different backgrounds will feel inspired to attend our events, respond to our music, and get to know us as individuals.
Variant 6's artists regularly perform with internationally recognized ensembles, including The Crossing, American Composers Orchestra, Seraphic Fire, Lorelei Ensemble, Ensemble Altera, Skylark, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Bach Project, Piffaro, Tempesta di Mare, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The New World Symphony, Opera Philadelphia, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Apollo’s Fire, Gamut Bach, the American Bach Soloists, Philadelphia Orchestra, Lyric Fest Philadelphia, and more.
Night Music is a Philadelphia-based chamber ensemble dedicated to performing music of the Revolutionary Era on historically appropriate instruments. Recent performances have taken the ensemble to Midtown Concerts in New York City, Upstate New York, Kenyon College in Ohio, and, closer to home, the Music in the Pavilion and Main Line Early Music series. Night Music’s debut recording for Acis Records, Music for a Viennese Salon, has drawn considerable praise.
Online Merker (Germany) considers that “the playing of Night Music’s musicians is distinguished by a tremendous richness of color and a crisp, pleasant, and easygoing approach,” while Classical Candor finds that the ensemble infuses a symphony arrangement “with such lyrical grace and refined gusto that one would think Haydn had intended it this way all along.”