In 1849 he formed the Bach Society ( later to be reformed as the Bach Choir ) in London to produce and conduct the first English performance of Bach 's St Matthew Passion on 6 April 1854 . Also in 1849 he formed the Bach Society ( later to be re-formed as the Bach Choir ) in London , to produce and conduct the first English performance of Bach 's St Matthew Passion on 6 April 1854 .