Bach Festival Leipzig (10/06)

Bach Festival in Leipzig (Bachfest Leipzig) – international music festival and the most prestigious festival in Germany dedicated to the work of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It takes place annually in Leipzig in June and lasts 10 days.

It should be said that several festivals dedicated to Bach are held annually in Germany, but Leipzig is the most famous. It has been a great success for many years and is traditionally in high demand among fans of the work of this great composer. Many famous musicians and music lovers of «eternal music» from all over the world come here.

Of course, Leipzig – is a city known for its cultural traditions – is associated not only with the name Bach – Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schiller lived here at different times. But it is with Leipzig that the most fruitful era in the life and work of Bach is connected – here in the Church of St. Thomas, he played the organ for more than 20 years and led the boys’ choir. And here – in front of the entrance to the church – there is a monument to Bach, and at the altar of this church he is buried.

Bachfest Leipzig – festival with a long tradition. It first took place in 1904 and was initiated by members of the society of fans of the composer's work «Neue Bachgesellschaft». From 1908, Leipzig City Hall took over the organisation of the event. Although the festival was not held every year, it was quite regular. Already in the 1920s, the slogan «Leipzig – city of music» appeared. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that it was officially decided to hold Bachfest Leipzig annually. The festival was organized by the Leipzig Bach Archives and the city hall. The festival was held on a special scale in 2000 – in the year of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. In the following years, it gained increasing popularity, the number of guests increased, and the program of the festival itself became increasingly diverse and eventful.

Each year the festival is dedicated to a special theme related to Bach's work. Since the music of the great composer does not need a «festival» occasion for performance, the organizers either go in search of the origins of Bach’s music or turn to its context. For example, the theme of the 2004 festival – «Bach and romanticism», when in concerts Bach's works coexisted with the music of Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms; in 2005 – «Bach and the future», where Ligeti and Zimmerman, Xenakis and Stockhausen sounded next to Bach... After the two hundredth anniversary of his birth in 2009 and 2010 F. Mendelssohn and R. Schumann, in 2011, at the Leipzig Bach Festival, the memory of two more outstanding musicians – F. was honored. Liszt (200th anniversary of birth) and G. Mahler (100 years since his death). In 2012, they celebrated the 800th anniversary of the day when music was first played in St. Thomas, in 2014 the festival was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Philipp Emmanuel. 2015 was marked by the 1000th anniversary of the city of Leipzig itself, in 2017 the festival was dedicated to Martin Luther and the theme of the Reformation. In 2018, the theme of the festival was «Cycles» –; it was Bach’s passion for cyclic forms and groups of works, in which he systematically explores the compositional capabilities of one topic or a certain genre, that prompted the organizers to choose this topic. In 2019, the theme of the festival was «Court Composer».

2023 marks 300 years since Johann Sebastian Bach took over as cantor at Leipzig's St Thomas' Church. Therefore, the motto of the festival was the words «BACH for Future» (Bach for the future).

On festival days, Bach's works – and these are masses, works for choir and orchestra, organ and symphonic works – are performed by soloists, musical ensembles and world-famous groups in churches and historical concert halls in Leipzig, where the great composer once lived and worked. Traditionally, the grand opening of the festival takes place in the famous Church of St. Thomas.

In total, about 100 concerts and various performances take place during the festival. The main place in the program is occupied by musical works of the 19th century, but the public is offered not only organ and church music, but also chamber concerts and jazz interpretations. Festival participants also present their programs dedicated to Bach’s work.

It is worth saying that dozens of Bach festivals are held in Germany every year, but none of them can compare in level and popularity with Leipzig. The voluminous program, which includes many events, is aimed at almost any age and taste, and some of the events are free. Bach Festival – is a mixture of social and spiritual concerts.

The musical program of the festival is organically complemented by various cultural events related to the personality of Bach. For example, concerts and excursions to the suburbs of Leipzig, where the composer often visited, competitions for young performers, film screenings, an exhibition of Bach manuscripts and documents, lectures and reports, as well as an excellent culinary program. Another highlight of the festival (since 2003) – is the presentation of the Bach Medal to outstanding musicians. The medal is made of Maissen porcelain.

The Bachfest Leipzig – festival is one of the most exciting events of the year. He consolidates Leipzig's fame as the musical capital of Germany. After all, Bach accepts everyone. His music makes you think about life and death, good and evil, think about the meaning of life and what we live for…

1282