30.03.2023 – 14:57

Bach Fascinates – 300 Years of Bach in Leipzig

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Bach Fascinates – 300 Years of Bach in Leipzig

(30 March 2023) In 1723, Bach took up his position as Thomaskantor and in doing so influenced the history of Leipzig for 27 years and beyond. A new chapter in music history began. From Leipzig, his works started began their triumphal march around the world. On the occasion of the anniversary "Bach300 - 300 Years of Bach in Leipzig", the Bach Museum Leipzig presents the new three-part special exhibition "Clear the Stage for Johann Sebastian Bach". Coinciding with the 338th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach, the first part opened on 21 March 2023. This year’s Bachfest from 8-18 June 2023 takes place under the motto "Bach for Future" and thus celebrates 300 years of the composer in Leipzig. There will be 150 Bach Festival events scheduled, set to music by well-known artists in the 30 original venues in and around Leipzig. This is just the beginning of the anniversary year.

Celebration of Bach’s Cantatas

The special thing about this Bach Festival is that it is not over after the last concert on 18 June 2023. For a whole year, Bach's cantatas will be performed in historically accurate order, also celebrating their 300th anniversary. The opening cantata on 11 June 2023 will kick off the first annual Leipzig cycle. The performances will take place on the historic days of the respective first performances. St Thomas' Church and St Nicholas Church provide the perfect setting, supported by the St Thomas Boys’ Choir and the Gewandhausorchester.

International Summer Classes

From 7-16 August 2023, young Bach interpreters from all over the world are expected for summer classes in Leipzig. These courses for students in their final semesters and young professional musicians are organised by the Leipzig Bach Archive in collaboration with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, Vox Luminis and the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre.

New Bach Exhibition at the Bach Museum Leipzig

The new special exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in Bach's musical cosmos. It deciphers complex works such as the St Matthew Passion and the Goldberg Variations in an understandable way and encourages visitors to engage with Bach's music with numerous sound examples, hands-on stations, games and puzzles. 3D audio games allow you to take part in Bach's life up close. The exhibition shows how Bach's work inspired composers such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Gustav Mahler, the Beatles and the singer Lady Gaga, as well as reflections of his works in the visual arts of the modern era.

The exhibition enters into a dialogue with the new Bach Parcours of the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig (Museum of City History Leipzig), which will open on 21 April 2023, and looks at Bach's work from the perspective of his Leipzig employers. Thematic guided tours and walking tours of both museums, concerts and workshops for children and young people will accompany the program.

The first part will highlight Bach's "Church Music in Honor of God" until 9 July 2023. The second partial opening, "In Search of Perfection," will be on view from 22 July to 5 November 2023. The third part, "Bach's Music Becomes a Model," will then open from 16 November to 24 March 2024. The Bach Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Mondays. Tickets cost 10 euros, or 8 euros with a discount.

Further Information

The Bach Museum Leipzig presents Bach's life and work in a contemporary ambience by means of a scientifically based interactive and sounding permanent exhibition as well as thematically changing cabinet exhibitions. The heart of the museum is the treasury, where Bach’s own manuscripts and other precious originals are on display. Regular guided tours of the museum are supplemented throughout the year by a program of events including concerts and lectures in the baroque summer hall. The Bach Museum Leipzig works with ECHOCAST, the EU standard for visitor service.

Are you interested in a media trip to get an authentic impression of the Leipzig Region and its diverse facets? Please feel free to contact us and let us know about your topics. Further information is available at www.leipzig.travel/press

Dana Marschner
International PR Manager
 
Phone +49 341 7104-333 • Fax +49 341 7104-344
 international-pr@ltm-leipzig.de •  www.leipzig.travel/en

Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH • Augustusplatz 9 • 04109 Leipzig • Germany
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This initiative is co-financed from tax revenues on the basis of the budget agreed by the Members of the State Parliament of Saxony.