Heinrich Schütz Music Festival
29th Edition from October 2nd to 11th, 2026 — Cross-border Festival for Early Music in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia
About Schütz Music Festival
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Heinrich Schütz and his Musical Heritage
Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) is considered the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and one of the most significant composers of the Early Baroque in Europe. Born in Köstritz (today Bad Köstritz in Thuringia), he worked as Kapellmeister at the court in Dresden and shaped German church music in the 17th century, combining Italian stylistic traditions (Venice, Monteverdi) with German Protestant music. Since 1998, the Heinrich Schütz Music Festival has honored this heritage — as a cross-border festival organizing concerts at authentic Schütz performance venues in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.
The 29th Edition 2026 — «Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch»
The 29th edition will take place from October 2nd to 11th, 2026. The theme «Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch» suggests a programmatic reflection on the roots and the impact of Schütz's music — not just historical understanding, but also contemporary musical departures in his spirit. The complete program with all concert dates and participating ensembles will be published in Spring/Summer 2026 on schuetz-musikfest.de.
Ensemble «The Present» — Artist in Residence 2026
The ensemble «The Present» has been confirmed as the Artist in Residence for the 2026 edition — a specialized group with a distinct profile that combines contemporary programming with historical performance practice. They will be featured in several festival concerts and will musically explore the motto «Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch» thematically.
Performance Venues at Authentic Schütz Locations
The festival spans the three central German states and takes place at authentic Schütz locations: Dresden (place of activity at the Saxon court), Bad Köstritz (birthplace), Weißenfels (Schütz performance venue in Saxony-Anhalt), Zeitz, Gera. Concerts are held in churches, palaces, and historic concert halls — a journey through the musical landscape of Central Germany, following the paths of Heinrich Schütz.
SWALK — Sound Walks through Space and Time
A digital innovation of the festival: The SWALK Heinrich Schütz app (Android and iOS) offers «Sound Walks through Space and Time» — audio walks at various venues that combine historical Schütz music with modern electronics. An independent form of musical exploration that extends the festival beyond classical concerts.
Schütz Music Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition — 29th Festival
The 29th edition of the Heinrich Schütz Music Festival focuses on tracing the musical roots of the composer and their impact on current music production. The motto «Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch» connects a historical approach to Schütz with a look at contemporary departures in the spirit of his music.
The complete concert program — with all dates, venues, ensembles, and pieces — will be published in Summer 2026 on schuetz-musikfest.de. Ensemble «The Present» is already confirmed as Artist in Residence; other renowned Early Music ensembles will follow.
Programme Schütz Music Festival 2026
Festival Period October 2nd — 11th, 2026
- Opening Concert: expected early October in Dresden or Bad Köstritz
- Concert Series at various authentic Schütz performance venues:
- Dresden (Kapellmeister's place of activity)
- Bad Köstritz (Heinrich Schütz's birthplace)
- Weißenfels (Saxony-Anhalt)
- Zeitz
- Gera
- Ensemble «The Present» — Artist in Residence — several concerts
- SWALK Heinrich Schütz — free app-based sound walks at venues
- Lectures, workshops, and school concerts accompanying the festival
Complete detailed program with performance times and pieces: Publication Summer 2026 on schuetz-musikfest.de.
Highlights Schütz Music Festival 2026
- 29th edition of one of Central Germany's most important Early Music festivals
- Theme «Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch»
- Ensemble «The Present» as Artist in Residence
- Concerts at authentic Schütz performance venues in 3 federal states
- Combination of historical performance practice with contemporary programming
- SWALK app for self-guided sound walks
Prices Schütz Music Festival 2026
Ticket prices vary by concert and venue. Early bird rates and festival passes (multiple concerts as a package) will be announced with the full program in Summer 2026. Sales via schuetz-musikfest.de and the respective venues.
Practical information — Schütz Music Festival
Dates 2026
Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 11th, 2026 — ten days, multiple venues.
Venues
Concerts in Dresden, Gera, Bad Köstritz, Weißenfels, Zeitz, and other Central German locations. The exact distribution of concerts across dates and venues will be published with the full 2026 program.
Tickets
Tickets are sold through the festival website schuetz-musikfest.de and the respective venues. Prices vary by concert and venue. Early bird discounts and festival passes will be announced with the overall program.
App
SWALK Heinrich Schütz — free app for Android and iOS for self-guided audio walks at festival venues.
Getting There
By train, Dresden, Leipzig, Halle, and Jena serve as hubs for travel to the festival cities. Accessible by car via the A4, A14, and A9 motorways.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Schütz Music Festival
Diverse Spielstätten in DD, Gera, Bad Köstritz, Weißenfels, Zeitz u.a.
Verschiedene Spielstätten Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen, 01067 Dresden