Bach is a ‘daily companion’ for Bach Society artistic director Johanna Soller: ‘I work with him every day’

German conductor and organist Johanna Soller has officially begun her inaugural season as the seventh artistic director of the Netherlands Bach Society. With a background in theology, languages, and historical performance, Soller describes Johann Sebastian Bach as her daily companion. Her approach to leading the ensemble focuses on the natural flow of music, prioritizing the power of text and rhetorical meaning. She aims to blend traditional historical performance with contemporary innovations, such as subtle lighting or interdisciplinary collaborations, to engage modern audiences while maintaining the ensemble's dedication to quality.

Under her leadership, the organization continues to act as an ambassador for early music, supported by the ongoing All of Bach project that provides global digital access to the composer's catalog. Soller emphasizes that while historical context is foundational, she seeks to create contemporary intellectual frameworks for her programs, occasionally incorporating works by modern composers like John Cage or Arvo Part. The ensemble, which has been a staple in the classical music scene for over a century, is currently embarking on a new tour titled De schoonheid van het verschil.