Bach and now! – Agathenburg Bach Days

Bach in Dialogue with Contemporary Music

The concept of Bach and now! is programmatic: Johann Sebastian Bach's music is not performed in isolation but is placed in dialogue with contemporary compositions, improvisation, and crossover formats. The programming seeks connections between the sound world of the Thomaskantor and the tonal languages of the 20th and 21st centuries – a format that sparks great interest among both classical connoisseurs and younger audiences.

Agathenburg Castle as an Artistic Center

Agathenburg Castle, a baroque manor house in the Stade district, forms the artistic and logistical center of the festival. The castle's festival hall offers an intimate concert atmosphere with baroque acoustics. Accompanying exhibitions, workshops, and special events are organized at the castle. The castle's sponsorship by the Stade district makes it possible to integrate the festival into a broader cultural program.

New Venue: St. Mauritius Church Hollern

For the second edition, the church of St. Mauritius in Hollern opens as an additional venue. The historic village church in the Altes Land region complements the castle with a sacred performance space with its own acoustics and atmosphere. The church is an ideal stage for concerts featuring vocal music and works for harpsichord or organ.

The Gesualdo Six as a Highlight

The British vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six is announced as the artistic highlight of the festival. The six vocalists are considered one of the most exciting young ensembles for Renaissance and Baroque music and have caused a stir in recent years with internationally acclaimed recordings. Their performance at the Bach Days promises an extraordinary concert experience.