History of the California Bach Society

The California Bach Society was founded by Edwin Flath in 1971. He began with choruses in Berkeley and Palo Alto, eventually expanding to San Francisco as well. Under his leadership, the Society produced many performances of Bach’s Passions, motets, cantatas, the B Minor Mass, and works by other composers. The Society was the first chorus not associated with the SF Symphony to perform in Davies Symphony Hall, presenting J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor in 1981. The Society performed there seven more times through 1984, including a commissioned piece dedicated to the memory of Calvin Simmons.

After Mr. Flath’s death in 1987, CBS reorganized under the direction of Edward Bolkovac. Beginning with twelve dedicated singers in a living room, Dr. Bolkovac rebuilt the choir as a smaller chamber ensemble, more in keeping with the forces Bach used. Under Dr. Bolkovac’s direction, CBS continued its tradition of fine Baroque performances. In 1994 it produced a commercial recording entitled Musica Barocca, which showcased works by the Roman masters, Caldara, Carissimi, and Frescobaldi, and featured soprano Judith Nelson and organist Ron McKean.

When CBS found itself in need of a new director in 1998, we turned to Warren Stewart. Already noted for his innovative programming with the ensemble Magnificat, Mr. Stewart brought his commitment to recreations of original performance context. He also introduced professional section leaders who served as soloists for the performances. His first concert in December 1998, was a reconstruction of the First Sunday in Advent as it would have been celebrated during Bach’s tenure in Leipzig. Under Mr. Stewart’s direction, the Society performed Bach’s Mass in B Minor at Grace Cathedral, the Ascension Oratorio to a sold-out audience at the 2000 Berkeley Early Music Festival, as well as Bach’s St. John Passion, and Mozart’s Requiem. In an interesting departure from the Baroque era, the Society performed Terry Riley’s Sun Rings at the 2004 San Francisco Jazz Festival. 

Upon Mr. Stewart’s departure in 2005, CBS took a new direction once again, with two singer/conductors. Dr. Suzanne Elder Wallace, former alto section leader under Mr. Stewart, directed the group for one season. In August 2006, CBS  appointed Dr. Paul Flight, a noted countertenor, choral conductor, and educator, as artistic director.

Our first season with Dr. Flight saw a resurgence of attendance and critical acclaim for the California Bach Society. A fine voice coach, Dr. Flight attracted talented new singers, and his sensitive direction brought new definition to the choir throughout his 18-year tenure. A reviewer from San Francisco Classical Voice wrote “Paul Flight, CBS’s artistic director, deserves much credit for bringing consistency to his choir’s sound.” CBS was hailed as “a prospector of Baroque gold” and praised for “a fine sense of dynamic shading and sensitivity to varied homophonic and contrapuntal textures.”

For the choir’s 2024-2025 season, Dr. Magen Solomon stepped in as interim artistic director, supported for one concert by guest conductor Derek Tam. In 2025, following a national search, the group appointed Nate Widelitz as artistic director.

Written by Helen Barrios and Carol Loden.