Concert Summer Klosterkirche Thalbürgel

Romanesque backdrop with over 800 years of history

The Klosterkirche Thalbürgel is one of Thuringia's most significant Romanesque buildings. Built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks, the three-nave pillar basilica with its characteristic double-tower west facade is an architectural jewel of Romanesque art. Despite the Reformation and several construction phases, the original Romanesque core is largely preserved. The acoustics of the high nave are legendary – they lend every concert an almost sacred depth of sound that is hardly achievable in modern concert halls. The Concert Summer consistently utilizes these acoustics: the program focuses on works that achieve their full effect in the church – choral music, chamber music with strings and winds, organ music, vocal music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic periods.

Over 50 years of festival tradition

The Concert Summer Thalbürgel is one of Thuringia's oldest festivals – the 54th year in 2026 marks an unbroken tradition since 1973. In this time, many of Germany's most renowned ensembles and soloists have performed in Thalbürgel: Thomanerchor, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Gewandhausorchester soloists, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Christian Tetzlaff. The festival has grown but has retained its character: no mega-events, but curated concerts with musical quality and a personal atmosphere.

Highlights 2026 – from Bach to Mendelssohn

The 54th program concentrates the most important highlights between May and September. The opening concert on May 9th marks the start. In June and July, chamber concerts follow, including a recital by the siblings Lea and Esther Birringer (violin and piano) with works by Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy, and Ravel on July 12th. The highlight of the season is the performance by the Dresdner Kreuzchor on July 1st with works by Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Schütz, and Weber. In August, the Markus Stockhausen Group offers a jazz crossover weekend (August 28–29), a program item that breaks the classical concept. The grand finale is the closing concert on September 19th: Mendelssohn Bartholdy's oratorio "Elias" with Concerto Vocale Leipzig and the Bach Consort Leipzig – a rarely heard complete performance of this Romantic masterpiece.

Bürgel and Thalbürgel in the Saale-Holzland district

Thalbürgel is a district of the town of Bürgel in the Saale-Holzland district in the state of Thuringia, east of Jena in the idyllic Saale valley. Bürgel itself is known as the "pottery town" – the tradition of Bürgel pottery dates back to the 17th century. The Concert Summer complements this cultural identity: classical music is added to the craft of pottery, and Romanesque architecture to Baroque vocal music. Anyone attending a concert should plan a full day – a walk through Bürgel, a visit to the pottery museums, perhaps a hike along the Saale river.