Dr Ouvry-Johns, passionate about Bach

Appreciation by Bryan Lewis

One can’t fault Dr Chris Ouvry-Johns for sang froid. He first visited the Society in 2015, one week or so before his wedding in Leicester Cathedral. This year he came to the Society shortly after the birthday of his first child (with attendant sleepless nights) and even more shortly after moving house. On both occasions one might have assumed his mind might have been on other things rather than talking about Bach’s Passions.

Dr. Ouvry-Johns' scholarship was never in doubt: he is after all a linguist and he spent some time in Germany absorbing much of J.S. Bach’s music. He reflected first on his introduction to Bach’s works as a boy soprano in Derby Cathedral. When his voice broke he by-passed alto and tenor into the bass clef. He has sung as a soloist, but first and foremost he is a talented choirmaster and his work as Master of the Music at Leicester Cathedral has been much acclaimed. Dr. John’s respect and admiration for the Passions shone through. He spoke about and illustrated different styles of recording and of his own approach to training choruses.