34th Lübeck Brahms Festival — «Freedom!»

34 Years of Festivals Dedicated to Johannes Brahms

The Lübeck University of Music — home of the International Brahms Society, holding the most significant collection of Brahms sources outside of Vienna — has celebrated its Brahms Festival annually in May since 1992. What began as an academically focused presentation of works has evolved over three decades into a broadly curated concert series that highlights a new theme each year. In 2006, the festival received the Brahms Prize from the Brahms Society Schleswig-Holstein.

2026 Theme: «Freedom!»

The theme «Freedom!» (Freiheit!) in 2026 connects to a historical occasion: 800 years ago, in 1226, Emperor Frederick II granted the city of Lübeck the Imperial Freedom Charter (Reichsfreiheitsbrief) — liberation from territorial lordly ties, thus laying the foundation for the later Hanseatic tradition. To mark this event, the festival will present a program entirely focused on «freedom»: works inspired by the spirit of the French Revolution, composers in resistance, and improvisation as a musical gesture of freedom.

30 Concerts in 9 Days — Structure

The festival is programmed «around the clock». The regular program pillars include:

• Symphony Concerts in the Great Hall of the MHL — Opening, Mid-festival, Finale
• «Stylus phantasticus» — Organ Mornings at St. Jakobi
• Lunchtime Concerts featuring Beethoven string quartets (five in total)
• Villa Brahms Afternoons with chamber music in an intimate setting
• Themed Evening Concerts exploring different facets of «Freedom» each day
• Improvisations and «Brahms Night Lounge» as late-night experimental formats

Venues and Atmosphere

The main venue is the Great Hall of the Lübeck University of Music (Musikhochschule Lübeck - MHL) on Große Petersgrube. Additionally, venues in Lübeck's old town will be used: St. Jakobi (for the organ mornings), the Villa Brahms, the event forum «Forum Hanseatischer Kaufmann», and other historic spaces. The UNESCO World Heritage old town is thus integrated into the concert program throughout the festival.

Students on Stage

The Brahms Festival serves as a workshop for the university, with students being the primary performers, supported by faculty and prominent guests. Over 250 participants make the festival one of the largest university festivals in Germany. Those who want to discover the classical scene of tomorrow should come to the Brahms Festival.