A SIGNIFICANT groundswell of support can be expected for Wednesday’s Canberra Bach Ensemble fundraiser at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka, with tickets selling out fast.

The Bach Ensemble was established in 1999 by Canberra conductor and music educator Andrew Koll with the idea of marking the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s death in 2000 and it has since become an important contributor to the Canberra music scene.

From 2016, Canberra Bach Ensemble presented historically informed performances and attracting guest musicians from around the country. Koll believes the performances became significant in the musical landscape of Canberra, inspiring many of the ensemble’s musicians to embark on successful music careers interstate and abroad.

It was the only Australian group among many others from across Europe, UK, US and south-east Asia to have been invited in 2020 to participate in BachFest in Leipzig, Germany plans were well underway.

But covid forced the postponement of both the festival and Canberra Bach Ensemble’s first international tour. Koll says they’ve been doing it tough ever since, but now with the idea of resurrecting the ensemble, they’ve decided to re-launch its concert program ahead of BachFest 2024.

Now in an effort to raise enough funds for concerts this year and to subsidise travel and expenses to Leipzig next year, the unfunded Bach Ensemble will be relying solely on personal finances and donations, with all the musicians will be giving their time and forgoing fees, but in a sign of community solidarity, Wednesday’s concert will be followed by a reception in the Haydon Hall, adjacent to the cathedral.

If your German is bettet than mine, you’ll understand the ensemble’s plea, “Die Stimmen erheben, um Hülfe zu bitten” — “We raise our voices, to ask for help!”

Canberra Bach Ensemble fundraiser, St Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest, 7pm, April 19. Entry by donation (minimum $20), registrations here