SPANNUNGEN — Music in the Heimbach Power Plant

A Festival, a Power Plant, an Idea

SPANNUNGEN — Music in the Heimbach Power Plant is one of the most extraordinary chamber music festivals in the world. Founded in 1998 by the late pianist Lars Vogt, it takes place every year in June in the historic RWE Art Nouveau power plant in Heimbach in the Eifel region — a machine hall from 1905 that becomes a concert stage once a year for over two decades. The blend of industrial architecture, acoustics, and excellent music makes SPANNUNGEN an experience unlike any classical concert hall. The 29th edition will take place from June 14 to 21, 2026.

Artistic Direction — Christian Tetzlaff Takes Over

After the early death of Lars Vogt in September 2022, various artists successively took over the direction. For 2026, the renowned violinist Christian Tetzlaff will lead the festival artistically for the first time — one of the most important violinists of our time, a long-time partner of Vogt, and very well-known in Heimbach.

The Theme 2026 — "The Sacred and the Profane"

Each edition of SPANNUNGEN follows a programmatic motto chosen by the artistic director. In 2026, the theme is "The Sacred and the Profane" — an exploration of the tensions between sacred music and secular tradition, between devotional music and worldly practice. For the first time in the festival's history, a choir will be featured in the gallery of the central hall — the Konzertchor Westfalica.

The Artists 2026

SPANNUNGEN is a meeting point for top-class soloists who come together in Heimbach for a week to make chamber music:

• Christian Tetzlaff, Violin (Artistic Director)
• Antje Weithaas, Violin
• Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Cello
• Alexander Lonquich, Piano
• Martin Helmchen, Piano
• Angela Firkins, Flute
• Eloi Enrique, Oboe
• Daniel Dubrovsky, Horn
• Gesine Dreyer, Harp
• Konzertchor Westfalica

The Opening Concert

The Opening Concert on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 7 PM presents works by Bach, Webern, and Schumann — performed by Christian Tetzlaff (Violin), Antje Weithaas (Violin), Marie-Elisabeth Hecker (Cello), and Alexander Lonquich (Piano). A programmatic start that musically unfolds the thematic line "The Sacred and the Profane".

A Total of 10 Concerts in 8 Days

The program includes 10 concerts over eight days — mostly in the evening at 7 or 8 PM, with some matinees and special events. The concerts combine classical masterpieces with contemporary commissioned works, a hallmark of SPANNUNGEN since its inception under Lars Vogt.

The Heimbach Acoustic Space

The Art Nouveau power plant in Heimbach, opened in 1905, is one of the most beautiful preserved industrial monuments in western Germany. The machine hall with its distinctive steel girders, control panels, and characteristic acoustics forms the concert stage. The unique resonance of the space, combined with the visual atmosphere, lends each concert an aura that cannot be replicated in any classical venue. The power plant continues to generate electricity — the machines only fall silent for the concerts.

The Eifel as a Festival Region

Heimbach is located in the southern Eifel district (Düren), nestled between the Rursee lake and the Eifel National Park. Visitors to Heimbach often combine the concerts with hikes through the National Park, a visit to Heimbach Castle, or boat rentals on the Rursee. The festival has established itself as a classic pilgrimage destination for chamber music lovers from all over Europe.