YORKSHIRE Bach Choir presents Bach Family Motets at St Michael le Belfrey, York, on February 7 in a 7.30pm programme selected by conductor Peter Seymour.

“It’s ‘Back to Bach’ for our first concert of 2015 with the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists,” he says.

“This will be a concert that not only traces the Bach family – uncle, father-in-law, son – but also explores the genre of the motet throughout the 18th century. Tracing this thread of family music making, we are fortunate all the Bachs brought such great innovation and expression to this genre.”

Three noted masterpieces of the form by JS Bach – Der Geist Hilft, Komm, Jesu, Komm and Fürchte Dich Nicht – will be sung alongside lesser known motets by J L Bach, J M Bach and CPE Bach.

“Bach motets are always an attractive challenge and one that Yorkshire Bach Choir relishes,” says Peter.

“It’s a repertoire that the choir has always explored. Many people know the more celebrated motets by JS Bach but motets by the other members of the Bach family contain some real musical treasures in a surprising range of musical styles. Indeed, with CPE Bach’s motets, we are taken right up to the beginning of the classical style.”

Next Saturday’s concert runs from 7.30pm to 9.45pm; tickets cost £18, concessions £16, on 01904 658338, at ncem.co.uk or on the door. A blog on the concert, including a short excerpt from JM Bach’s Ehre Sei Gott, can be found at yorksbachchoir.blogspot.co.uk/