Badenweiler Musiktage

Classical Music in a Belle Époque Atmosphere

Badenweiler has been a spa town of European renown since the 19th century. Anton Chekhov spent his last weeks here, Stefan George found inspiration here, and Habsburgs and English aristocrats came here for cures. This Belle Époque atmosphere still characterizes the town today: The Kurhaus Le Jardin on Schlossplatz and the simply elegant Evangelische Pauluskirche provide the setting for one of the finest chamber music festivals in Southern Baden. The Badenweiler Musiktage 2026 will run from May 14 to 17 and will bring four top-class concerts to the Markgräfler spa town.

Elisabeth Leonskaja as Headliner

The artistic highlight of the 2026 edition will be the performances by pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja. The piano legend, born in Tbilisi and long-time resident of Vienna – a student of Yakov Zak and a friend of Sviatoslav Richter – will interpret programs by Brahms, Schönberg, and Schubert. Leonskaja has been one of the great pianists of her generation for decades; her dense, thoughtful interpretations are perfectly suited to the intimate acoustics of the Kurhaus Le Jardin and the Pauluskirche.

Detlef Heusinger — Composition in the Present

A second focus will be on composer and conductor Detlef Heusinger, who will present a showcase of his own chamber music. Heusinger, born in 1962, leads the SWR Experimentalstudio and is considered one of the most distinguished contemporary composers in Southern Germany. His pieces combine classical forms with electroacoustic extensions and explore the question of sound production in the 21st century. Heusinger has performed at the Musiktage multiple times and is closely associated with the spa town.

Four Concerts in the Kurhaus and Pauluskirche

The four concerts will be spread across the two venues. The Kurhaus Le Jardin, with its neoclassical hall, is suitable for larger chamber ensembles and piano recitals, while the Pauluskirche, with its excellent acoustics, offers an intimate setting for string quartets, solo vocals, and sacred music. The organizer is Badenweiler Thermen und Touristik GmbH, and the program has been curated for years by a permanent team of artists who consistently pursue the connection between tradition and sophisticated chamber music.

Badenweiler as a Festival Venue

With just under 4,000 inhabitants, Badenweiler is a small, very refined town. A visit is worthwhile even before the festival: the Roman bath ruins, the Cassiopeia thermal baths, the castle ruins, the historic hotels, and the extensive spa gardens characterize the town. The festival utilizes this atmosphere – many visitors combine the Musiktage with a multi-day spa stay. In May, the spa gardens are in bloom, and the hiking and enjoyment trails in the Markgräflerland are in full spring splendor. A festival for an audience that combines classical music and cultural travel.