the bach choir gave its first concert on 26 april 1876 with a performance of bach’s "mass in b minor". at this time more and more people in england were becoming interested in the music of bach, but the "mass in b minor" had never been performed in england. the conductor otto goldschmidt conducted the concert, and afterwards the choir's committee decided to make the bach choir a permanent choir. otto goldschmidt was appointed as the musical director.