The Bach family, Johann Sebastian and sons, have been considered musical royalty since the 18th Century when they were part of the movement away from the Baroque sound towards Classicism. Their influence has filtered down the generations both as a source of inspiration and pastiche. The annual Bach Festival, founded in 1999, celebrates the Bachs and their musical influence in all guises with music by the family, their students and composers they inspired typically including Mozart (heavily influenced by the balanced clarity in the style of Johann Christian Bach‘s operas.), Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schubert.

Leipzig is well set up to host this kind of event, the setting looks the part with many beautiful and traditional venues within walking distance from each other and the local musical ensembles and opera company are strong.

The festival begins each year on or around the 11th of June and takes over Thomaskirche, where J.S. Bach was cantor, the Town Hall, local theatres, outdoor spaces and several of Leipzig’s Renaissance churches, especially those with world renowned organs. As well as the main evening performances there are plenty of day time recitals, the majority of them on the said same prized organs, and other events including chamber concerts, secular pieces and modern interpretations.

For themed stimulation for your other senses visit the Bach Museum and the Mendelssohn-Haus. For event tickets go to: ticket@bach-leipzig.de

Bach Festival Website (in German).

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

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