Paul Steinitz OBE (25 August 1909 – 21 April 1988) was an English post-war organist, best known as an interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach's music.
In the 1930s, he served as director of music at St. Mary's parish church, Ashford, Kent, where he developed his keen interest on Bach while studying for his Doctorate (University of London, 1940).
In 1952 Steinitz directed the first performance in Britain of Bach's St Matthew Passion in its complete and original German form using the 1736 score.
Commissions and first performances were established in the 1950s and 1960s and included works by Stravinsky (Canticum Sacrum, guest conducted by Robert Craft, in 1956), Bruno Maderna, Luigi Dallapiccola, Peter Maxwell Davies, John Tavener, Anthony Milner, Stanley Glasser (sung in Zulu), Christopher Brown, Geoffrey Burgon and his own pupil Nicholas Maw.
In conjunction with Joan Brocklebank, Steinitz also started another choral and chamber orchestral society in 1955, the Dorset Bach Cantata Club.
Steinitz's scholarship and profound understanding of his subject did not prevent him from trusting his players and singers on matters of technique and interpretation.
However, he would wish Bach to have the last honour: a portrait of the composer would often be leaning against the conductor's rostrum, and then held high to rapturous applause at the end of the concert.
It was provided by public subscription, created by Richard Kindersley and unveiled in 1991 by the serving Lord Mayor of London Sir Alexander Grahame GBE.
The ceremony was followed by an all-Bach concert that reflected the musical forces Steinitz was advocating, now being handed on to the next generation to take forward.
The programme of Bach's seasonal cantatas, the famous Chaconne and Third Suite was given to a distinguished audience of public figures, musicians and supporters.
It was a fitting memorial and provided encouragement for the future, the seamless continuity Steinitz wanted so much to take place after his death.