News

Concerto Copenhagen Visits Weimar

With a unique repertoire that combines well-known European music with lesser-known works of Scandinavian origin and contemporary music, CoCo celebrated its 35th anniversary this year. A fitting occasion for a visit to Bach’s homeland, Thuringia. On the program: “Bach’s Best”—a special concert to be experienced on April 9 at St. Peter and Paul City Church in Weimar. A perfect fit for Concerto Copenhagen and Lars Ulrik Mortensen.

Liam Byrne presents his GLENN GOULD BACH FELLOWSHIP-Project  

In a “Lyra Viol Listening Lab,” Irish gambist Liam Byrne presents his exhibition to mark the conclusion of his fellowship in Weimar, offering, among other things, an immersive 3D sound experience in which the listener is placed right in the midst of the Lyra Viol’s sound. His project takes an experimental approach to the recording and transmission of Lyra-Viol music and uses this repertoire as a case study to raise broader questions about the aesthetics of sound in classical music recordings. Open: April 10–12 and April 16–18. Free admission.

 

We celebrate Bach's 341st birthday in Arnstadt

A birthday party with guests from all over the world. This is a special experience and has a special occasion: Johann Sebastian Bach's 341st birthday is just around the corner. As every year, the birthday boy will be honored and celebrated prominently on March 21 in Arnstadt's Bach Church by the Young Stuttgart Bach Ensemble with three Lutheran short masses. These are works that the Thomaskantor compiled from cantata movements in the late phase of his life. The concert is a collaboration with the International Bach Academy and the Bachfest Stuttgart.

 

Thank you, Helmuth Rilling

The Thuringia Bach Festival mourns the loss of the renowned Bach conductor, church musician, and music educator Helmuth Rilling, who passed away on February 11 at the age of 92. From 2014 to 2018, he shaped the festival through the Weimar Bach Cantata Academy, where international musicians worked together on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in intensive rehearsals, masterclasses, and concerts. Rilling also founded the Gächinger Kantorei and the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart and devoted his life to promoting and interpreting Bach’s sacred works. With deep gratitude, the Thuringian Bach Festival bids farewell to an influential musician, teacher, and friend.

Congratulations to ELINA ALBACH

Harpsichordist Elina Albach is the new fellow of the GLENN GOULD BACH FELLOWSHIP – a groundbreaking scholarship programme launched in 2020 that gives selected fellows the opportunity to reinterpret Baroque music for the 21st century.

LONG NIGHT OF HAUSMUSIK

In a long-standing tradition, the Thuringia Bach Festival always start with the Long Night of Hausmusik. Join in and open your doors on 27 March 2026.

Festival season 2026

Pre-sales for the upcoming festival season, which runs from 27 March to 19 April, will begin on 20 November 2025. You can look forward to 50 concerts throughout Thuringia.