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Leipzig Bach Festival - Music by the Bach family and their Baroque contemporaries
- Artists from around the world including some of the leading specialists in Bach and the Baroque: The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, Vox Luminis, and Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir led by Ton Koopman (11 June departure); The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Ton Koopman, Mahan Esfahani and Il Pomo d’Oro (16 June departure).
- Concert venues include the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche, the churches where J.S. Bach was director of music.
- Centrally-located hotel within easy walking distance of the concerts and restaurants.
- Guided walks to explore the architecture and musical heritage of this historic and lively city.
Over 80 members of the Bach family are listed in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. For two centuries the Bachs, Johann Sebastian among them, plied their trade in the employ of courts, churches and free cities in Thuringia and Saxony. Though geographically in the heart of Germany, these places were not among the major political or cultural centres of Europe. And their location on the other side of the Iron Curtain in the later 20th century enveloped them further in obscurity.
There was no star system in the Bachs’ time; genius was an alien concept. The tradition the family worked in was one of sheer dogged professionalism, with ability generally recognised and rewarded. Really exceptional once-in-a-century talent was beyond the comprehension of the city burgers, however; Johann Sebastian was the third choice for the post of Cantor at St Thomas’s Church in Leipzig, and for the remainder of his life he was constantly chafing against the indifference and high-handedness of his employers.
The Bachfest Leipzig has become established as one of the major items in the calendar of European festivals. The venues most used are the parish church of St Thomas (the Thomaskirche), which was Bach’s principal auditorium during the 27 years when he was effectively the city’s director of music, and the Nikolaikirche, another church for which he had responsibility. There are concerts also in the University Church, the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), and in the Evangelical Reformed Church.
Leipzig is now, again, a handsome and lively city, following an almost miraculous transformation during the 1990s and beyond. Cleaning, restoration and rebuilding went hand in hand with the emergence of cafés, smart shops and good restaurants. Located at the heart of this ancient trading city is the large market place and the renaissance Town Hall, and around is a beguiling network of alleys, courtyards and arcades.
Guided walks investigate this heritage and the musical history of the city, which encompasses not only the Bach family but also Telemann, Robert and Clara Schumann, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Mahler and Kurt Masur. There is time also to enjoy the excellent museums – the Fine Arts Museum in spectacular new premises, the radically refurbished Museum of Musical Instruments, or the rejuvenated Bach Museum.
Itinerary
Fly from London Heathrow to Berlin at c. 11.00am (British Airways) with onward travel to Leipzig (c. 3 hours) by private coach. Time to settle into the hotel before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
The morning talk is followed by a walk with a local guide to introduce the layout and main buildings of Leipzig’s historic centre. Afternoon concert at the Thomaskirche with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman (conductor), Elisabeth Breuer (soprano), Maarten Engeltjes (alto), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of cantatas, announced on the day. Dinner is followed by an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor) and soloists (to be announced): J. S. Bach, a selection of cantatas, announced on the day.
After the daily talk, a guided tour of the excellent museum at the Bach Archive. Late-afternoon concert at the Peterskirche with Voces Suaves and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin: J. S. Bach, Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131; Keiser (Reinhard or Gottfried), St Mark Passion; D. Buxtehude, Jesu, meines Lebens Leben, BuxWV 62. Evening concert at the Thomaskirche with the Orchester Wiener Akademie, Martin Haselböck (conductor), Johanna Falkinger, Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Reginald Mobley, Alois Mühlbacher (alto), Daniel Johannsen, Benedikt Kristjánsson (tenor), Stefan Zenkl, Felix Schwandtke (bass): J. S. Bach, Sanctus in D major, BWV 241 (after J. C. Kerll); Tönet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trompeten, BWV 214; A. Caldara, Magnificat in C major; J. S. Bach, Schleicht, spielende Wellen, und murmelt gelinde, BWV 206. Optional late-night recital at the Altes Rathaus with Mark Kroll (harpsichord): F. Couperin, Rondeau in B-flat major; Sixième Ordre, from: Pièces de clavecin, Livre 2; Troisième Ordre, from: Pièces de clavecin, Livre 1; J. S. Bach, Französische Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814.2.
The morning is free until the afternoon recital at the University Church with Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord): J. S. Bach, Gigue, from: Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830; Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971; French Overture in B minor, BWV 831.2; Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. Dinner is followed by an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with La Tempête and Simon-Pierre Bestion (conductor): J. Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, op. 45 (selected movements); J. S. Bach, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150; D. Buxtehude, Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe, BuxWV 39; A. Hammerschmidt, Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth; H. Schütz, Nacket bin ich vom Mutterleibe kommen, SWV 279, and other works. Optional late-night recital at the Evangelical Reformed Church with Isabelle Faust (violin) and Kristian Bezuidenhout (harpsichord): J. S. Bach, three sonatas from: 6 sonatas for violin and harpsichord, BWV 1014–1019.
The morning is free until the midday recital at the University Church with Lucile Boulanger (viola da gamba) and Pierre Hantaï (harpsichord): J. S. Bach, Sonata in G major, BWV 1027; Sonata in G minor, BWV 1029, and other works. Afternoon guided tour of the Grassi Museum of Musical Instruments, one of the most important collections in the world. You may wish to stay on for the Grassi Museum of Applied Arts, or visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the apartment where Felix Mendelssohn lived and died. Evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with Il Pomo d’Oro, Francesco Corti (conductor) and Emőke Baráth (soprano): vocal and instrumental works by G. F. Handel and J. S. Bach.
A morning walk with a specialist guide concentrates on Leipzig’s musical heritage. Afternoon concert at the University Church with the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, Aapo Häkkinen (conductor, harpsichord), Pierre Hantaï (harpsichord), Zefira Valova (violin), Tuomo Suni (violin): J. S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050; Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C minor, BWV 1060; Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C major, BWV 1061.2; Concerto for 2 violins in D minor, BWV 1043; W. F. Bach, Concerto for 2 harpsichords in F major, Fk 10 (BR-WFB A 12). Final dinner after an early evening concert at the Thomaskirche with Thomanerchor Leipzig, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Thomaskantor Andreas Reize (conductor), Dorothee Mields (soprano), Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Ulrike Malotta (alto), Manuel Walser (bass): J. S. Bach, Mass in B minor, BWV 232.4.
Drive from Leipzig to Berlin Airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving late afternoon.
Fly from London Heathrow to Berlin at c. 11.00am (British Airways) with onward travel to Leipzig (c. 3 hours) by private coach. Time to settle into the hotel before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
The morning talk is followed by a walk with a local guide to introduce the layout and main buildings of Leipzig’s historic centre. Afternoon concert at the Thomaskirche with the Choir & Orchestra of the J.S. Bach Foundation, Rudolf Lutz (conductor), Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Margot Oitzinger (alto), Daniel Johannsen (tenor), Matthias Helm (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of three cantatas. Dinner before an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman (conductor), Elisabeth Breuer (soprano), Maarten Engeltjes (alto), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of five cantatas. Optional late-night recital at the Salles de Pologne with Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord): J. S. Bach, Partita in B-flat major, BWV 825.2; Partita in G major, BWV 829.2; Partita in D major, BWV 828/2.
The morning is free until the early-afternoon concert at the Nikolaikirche with Vox Luminis: J. S. Bach, a selection of five cantatas. Free time or optional afternoon recital at the Gewandhaus with Sir András Schiff (piano): J. S. Bach, French Overture in B minor, BWV 831.2; Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971; Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. Evening concert at the Thomaskirche with the Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor), Dorothee Mields (soprano), Alex Potter (alto), Guy Cutting (tenor), Johannes Kammler (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas.
Morning guided tour of the Grassi Museum of Musical Instruments, one of the most important collections in the world. You may wish to stay on for the Grassi Museum of Applied Arts, or visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the apartment where Felix Mendelssohn lived and died. Afternoon concert at the Thomaskirche with the Choir & Orchestra of the J.S. Bach oundation, Rudolf Lutz (conductor), Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Margot Oitzinger (alto), Daniel Johannsen (tenor), Matthias Helm (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of five cantatas. Dinner before an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with the Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor), Dorothee Mields (soprano), Alex Potter (alto), Guy Cutting (tenor), Johannes Kammler (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas.
A morning walk with a specialist guide concentrates on Leipzig’s musical heritage. Afternoon concert at the Thomaskirche with Vox Luminis: J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas. Some free time before an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with the Gaechinger Cantorey, Hans-Christoph Rademann (conductor), and soloists (to be announced): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas. Optional late-night recital at the Bach Museum with Mahan Esfahani (clavichord): A. de Cabezón, Diferencias sobre el canto llano del Caballero;
J. J. Froberger, Toccata in F, FbWV 110; Tombeau fait à Paris sur la mort de monsieur Blancheroche in C minor, FbWV 632; W. F. Bach, Fantasy in E minor, Fk 21 (BR-WFB A 24); J. S. Bach, French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813.2; C. P. E. Bach, Fantasy in F-sharp minor, Wq 67.
The morning is free until the afternoon recital at the Nikolaikirche with the Gaechinger Cantorey, Hans-Christoph Rademann (conductor), and soloists (to be announced): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas. Free time or optional late-afternoon recital at the Gewandhaus with Sir András Schiff (piano): J. S. Bach: The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080.2. Evening concert at the Thomaskirche with The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas.
After the daily talk, a guided tour of the excellent museum at the Bach Archive. Afternoon concert at the Thomaskirche with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman (conductor), Elisabeth Breuer (soprano), Maarten Engeltjes (alto), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas. The final dinner is followed by an evening concert at the Nikolaikirche with The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor) and soloists (to be announced): J. S. Bach, a selection of four cantatas.
Drive from Leipzig to Berlin Airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving late afternoon.
Expert speakers
Dr Ruth Tatlow
Lecturer, musician, and writer on the history of ideas in the seventeenth- and eighteenth-centuries in Germany with the music of J. S. Bach as the focal point. She is a visiting researcher at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg. Her latest book Bach’s Church Cantatas (Oxford University Press, 2025) is particularly relevant to the concerts we will hear on the tour.
More tours led by Dr Ruth Tatlow
Professor John Butt OBE
Lecturer, writer and musician, specialising in historical performance. Professor of Music at Glasgow University, director of the Dunedin Consort, and guest-conductor with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment among others. He was awarded the OBE in 2013.
More tours led by Professor John Butt OBE
Practicalities
11 June departure: Two sharing: US$6,620 or US$6,200 without flights. Single occupancy: US$7,210 or US$6,790 without flights.
Supplement of US$300 per person for all four optional concerts OR supplement of US$140 per person for the two late-evening optional concerts only OR supplement of US$190 per person for the two afternoon optional concerts only.
16 June departure: Two sharing: US$6,050 or US$5,620 without flights. Single occupancy: US$6,570 or US$6,140 without flights.
Two optional evening concerts: supplement of US$160 per person.
11 June departure: top category tickets for twelve concerts; private coach for airport transfers; accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 5 dinners (with drinks); museum admissions; tips; taxes; lecturer, tour manager and local guide.
16 June departure: top category tickets for ten concerts; private coach for airport transfers; accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 lunch (with drinks); museum admissions; tips; taxes; lecturer, tour manager and local guide.
Leipzig Marriott Hotel: conforming to its brand, the Marriott is a smart 4-star hotel with lots of marble, pillars, wood, brass and comfortable easy chairs. It is located on a pedestrian street just inside the north-eastern section of the ring road that runs around the city centre, and no more than 10–15 minutes on foot from the venues. Rooms are spacious, with cosy neoclassical furnishings and are equipped to a high standard. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
11 June departure: option to attend two late-evening concerts, two afternoon concerts OR all four concerts. See 'prices, per person' for supplement.
16 June departure: two optinoal evening concerts. See 'prices, per person' for supplement.
Walking is the only practical way of getting around the largely pedestrianised centre of Leipzig. Most walks will be less than 20 minutes.
Between 10 and 22 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Dates & prices
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Testimonials
“Absolute perfection! This was the experience of a lifetime.
”
“Excellent does not convey what a fantastic immersive experience this was.
”
“The group was exceptionally privileged to have John Butt as lecturer. None could have been more knowledgeable and amiable. A most memorable experience for us.
”
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