Bach Brandenburgh Concertos

Michael Bochmann, MBE, is an internationally acclaimed British violinist and conductor, founder and Artistic Director of the Lenthall Concerts. Educated at Burford School he went on to study violin at the Royal Academy of Music. He was a participating pupil on Menuhin’s Master classes on BBC2 TV. In February 1990 Michael partnered Sir Yehudi Menuhin in the Bach Double Violin Concerto in a most successful tour of 16 concerts throughout the USA and Canada. He formed the Bochmann Quartet in 1977 with which he made over 50 broadcasts within their first 10 years. During this period, he also performed with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields directed by Neville Marriner and the English Chamber Orchestra. He directed the English String Orchestra until 2016. He is very active as a teacher and is Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at Trinitylaban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.

Orchestra Pro Anima (OPA), directed by Michael Bochmann, was launched in January 2017 and is formed of musicians who have performed together over a long period as members of the English String Orchestra. So, although OPA is new in name and status as an independent body, the players have a real affinity with one another, forged over time. They will generally play without a conductor, Michael being the director, and with the pieces being introduced by various players. This allows for spontaneity and creates a relaxed atmosphere and a feeling of oneness with the audience. Indeed, there is a strong emphasis on communication, whereby the audience feels part of the music-making experience. The orchestra name pro anima means ‘for the soul’, reflecting the desired impact of the music on the listener