The ensemble Four Centuries of Bach was formed by John Abberger to present historically informed performances of the works of J. S. Bach. As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of J. S. Bach’s individual compositions the ensemble will mark the beginning of the fourth century that these works have enriched our world. This is its debut recording.


John Abberger, one of North America’s leading performers on historical oboes, is principal oboist with Tafelmusik (Toronto) and the American Bach Soloists (San Francisco). He has performed extensively in North America, Europe and the Far East with these ensembles, and appears regularly with many other period-instrument ensembles throughout North America. His recording of the Concerto for Oboe by Alessandro Marcello with Tafelmusik was glowingly...

The ensemble Four Centuries of Bach was formed by John Abberger to present historically informed performances of the works of J. S. Bach. As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of J. S. Bach’s individual compositions the ensemble will mark the beginning of the fourth century that these works have enriched our world. This is its debut recording.


John Abberger, one of North America’s leading performers on historical oboes, is principal oboist with Tafelmusik (Toronto) and the American Bach Soloists (San Francisco). He has performed extensively in North America, Europe and the Far East with these ensembles, and appears regularly with many other period-instrument ensembles throughout North America. His recording of the Concerto for Oboe by Alessandro Marcello with Tafelmusik was glowingly reviewed by Gramophone Magazine as “one of the best there is” and “alone worth the price of the disc, even if you have other versions.” He records regularly with many of the above mentioned orchestras, and can be heard on numerous recordings for a wide selection of international labels. Mr. Abberger serves on the faculty at the University of Toronto and the University of Western Ontario. A native of Orlando, Florida, he received his training at the Juilliard School, and Louisiana State University. In addition, he holds a Performers Certificate in Early Music from New York University.

Adrian Butterfield is one of the leading baroque violinists of his generation who is now in increasing demand as a director, soloist, chamber musician and teacher both in the UK and abroad. A former chorister of St. Paul's Cathedral and a graduate of Trinity College Cambridge, he directs the Hanover Band and the Steinitz Bach Players at the BachFest UK. As Associate Director of the London Handel and Tilford Bach Festivals he directs the London Handel Orchestra at these and other festivals across Europe. He is a founder-member of the London Handel Players, a chamber group of principal players from the Handel Orchestra, and their first recording, of Handel's Op.5 Trio Sonatas, for Somm Records has received great acclaim. Since 2001 he has led Daniel Taylor's Theatre of Early Music in concerts and recordings in Canada. He is also Professor of Baroque Violin at the Royal College of Music in London and Director of the RCM Baroque Orchestra.