Welcome

Founded in 1972 as a chapter of the Neue Bachgesellschaft, the American Bach Society supports the study, performance, and appreciation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in the United States and Canada.

The ABS produces Bach Notes and Bach Perspectives, sponsors a biennial meeting and conference, and offers grants and prizes for research on Bach.

Information on membership is available here, along with a short history of the Society and information on its administration.

On this site you can also find links to other Bach organizations and to Bach festivals, as well as a small selection of interesting Bach illustrations.

Upcoming Conference:

Riemenschneider Bach Institute at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
April 7–10, 2022

For questions about the upcoming conference, please contact Ellen Exner: vicepresident [at] americanbachsociety.org

Announcing Episode 8 of Tiny Bach Concerts

April 16, 2021

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a remarks by Michael Marissen (Swarthmore College) and a performance by Maria Keohane, soprano; Fredrik From, violin; with Concerto Copenhagen, directed by Lars Ulrik Mortensen of “Was die Welt in sich hält,” BWV 64/5. Read more…

Episode 7 of Tiny Bach Concerts is now live!

March 19, 2021

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by organist George Barnes and the Jazz Renaissance Quintet of the Fugue in G minor, BWV 542. Stephen A. Crist (Emory University) provides introductory remarks. Read more…

Announcing the American Bach Society Diversity Grant

March 10, 2021

The American Bach Society invites proposals for a grant or grants of up to $2000 for scholarly or creative projects that expand diversity in the study or performance of J. S. Bach and his music. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2021. Read more and apply…

Announcing the sixth episode of Tiny Bach Concerts

February 15, 2021

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by la speranza of the Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034, with introductory remarks by Dr. Jeanne Swack (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Read more…

Bach Perspectives 13: Bach Reworked published

January 30, 2021

Bach Perspectives 13: Bach Reworked, published by the University of Illinois Press, is now available. The volume, edited by Laura Buch, features contributions from Stephen A. Crist, Ellen Exner, Moira Leanne Hill, Erinn E. Knyt, and Markus Zepf. For more information, please see our page on the series.

Just Released: Episode 5 of Tiny Bach Concerts

January 15, 2021

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features introductory remarks and a performance by Rebecca Cypess (Rutgers University) of W.F. Bach's Concerto in G major, Fk. 40. Read more…

Episode 4 of Tiny Bach Concerts is now live!

December 15, 2020

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by organist Kola Owolabi (University of Notre Dame) of the Trio on “Allein Gott,” BWV 664. Paul Walker (University of Notre Dame) provides introductory remarks. Read more…

Announcing the third episode of Tiny Bach Concerts

November 15, 2020

This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by the Bloomington Bach Cantata Project of the soprano aria “Wer ein wahrer Christ will heissen” from Wer sich selbst erhöhet, BWV 47. Dr. Ellen Exner (New England Conservatory; ABS Vice President) provides introductory remarks. Read more…

Bach Notes no. 33 (Fall 2020) published

November 3, 2020

Bach Notes no. 33 (Fall 2020) has been posted on the website, and copies will be mailed to members shortly. This issue features the announcement of our new Tiny Bach Concerts series, an obituary for Barbara Wolff, a review of streaming Bach festivals by Alannah Rebekah Franklin and a review of the translation of Michael Maul’s Bach’s Famous Choir by Chad Fothergill, and a report on a St. John Passion webinar by Brett Kostrzewski, as well as announcements and member news. Read more…

Tiny Bach Concerts Episode 2 has launched

October 15, 2020

We are very pleased to share today the second episode of our new video series, Tiny Bach Concerts, featuring an introduction by Matthew Dirst and a performance by Ars Lyrica Houston with Mario Aschauer (Matthew Dirst, Artistic Director). Enjoy! Read more…

Tiny Bach Concerts Episode 1 now live!

September 15, 2020

The American Bach Society is thrilled to launch our new video series, Tiny Bach Concerts. Episode 1 features a performance of the "Gloria" and "Dona nobis pacem" from Bach's B-minor Mass, BWV 232, with commentary by ABS member George Stauffer. Read more…

Bach Notes no. 32 (Spring 2020) published

June 8, 2020

Bach Notes no. 32 (Spring 2020) has been published. This issue features the announcement of the honorary lifetime membership of Robin A. Leaver, a farewell message from outgoing president Markus Rathey, reviews of new material on Anna Magdalena Bach, Sara Levy and Christoph Graupner, a report on the ABS/MSA joint conference, as well as announcements and member news. Read more…

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AT RIGHT:

  1. Oil painting of J. S. Bach by Elias Gottlob Haussmann, 1748
  2. Engraving of St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
  3. Title page of Bach’s Calov Bible, 1681 (Concordia Seminary Library, St. Louis)
  4. First page of autograph score of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, 1721