TAMIS — Days of Early Music in Saarland
Renowned festival for Early Music in Saarbrücken since 2001
About TAMIS
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Early Music in Saarland — A Distinct School
Early Music — that is, the historically informed performance practice of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods — is not a niche phenomenon in Saarbrücken but firmly established. With the Hochschule für Musik Saar, which offers its own degree program in Early Music, and the renowned Fritz Neumeyer Academy, the state capital has developed into a center for this genre. The TAMIS festival is the annual consolidation of this expertise — and its public showcase.
Breakfast Concerts as a Trademark
What sets TAMIS apart from other Early Music festivals are the breakfast concerts. Every morning from Monday to Friday at 9:30 AM, the Deutschherrnkapelle opens its doors — with free admission and complimentary breakfast. A different ensemble, a different lineup, a different piece: those who attend for the entire festival week will have experienced an average of six to eight intimate concerts featuring works by Bach, Telemann, Couperin, Buxtehude, and many lesser-known masters of the Baroque and early Renaissance periods.
Evening Main Concerts
The main evening concerts are the second pillar. In the Ludwigskirche, Friedenskirche, Schlosskirche, and other historic sacred buildings in Saarbrücken, specialist ensembles such as Tempera Mente and Abchordis Ensemble, along with outstanding soloists, perform. In 2026, the 19-year-old Bach Prize winner Julian Becker on the organ, as well as a program focusing on Johann Caspar Kerll's mass compositions, are announced.
'With Music Through the Day' — The Special Saturday
A TAMIS tradition is 'Mit Musik durch den Tag' (With Music Through the Day) on Saturday — seven half-hour concerts spread throughout the day in various Saarbrücken churches. With a city map and concert schedule, you can explore the city on foot and experience a different program at each stop. This combines the festival experience with a city walk.
Fritz Neumeyer and the Academy's Legacy
The festival's organizing academy is named after the harpsichordist Fritz Neumeyer (1900–1983), one of the pioneers of Early Music in Germany. The academy named in his honor preserves his legacy and supports young musicians specializing in historical performance practice. TAMIS is the annual stage where these emerging talents perform alongside established stars.
Saarbrücken in Spring — The Ideal Festival Location
In late April / early May, Saarbrücken is in full spring bloom. The state capital in the Saarbrücken district shows its most beautiful side: blooming front gardens, long evenings, lively city districts. TAMIS takes advantage of this atmosphere — short distances between concert venues, cafes and restaurants for breaks, a compact festival city in the best sense.
TAMIS — edition 2026
The 2026 festival week combines the proven TAMIS pillars — daily breakfast concerts as an accessible entry point, main evening concerts as highlights, and the special Saturday 'With Music Through the Day' — with new focal points under the motto 'MUSIK LEBEN'. The festival concludes on Sunday with brunch concerts.
Programme TAMIS 2026
Monday, April 27th, 2026
- 9:30 AM — Breakfast concert in the Deutschherrnkapelle (free admission)
- 7:00 PM — Opening Evening
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 — 'Young Early Music'
- 9:30 AM — Breakfast concert
- 7:00 PM — Ensemble Tempera Mente and Organist Julian Becker (19 years old, International Bach Competition laureate)
Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 — SKM Series
- 9:30 AM — Breakfast concert
- 7:00 PM — Abchordis Ensemble — Baroque Trio Sonatas
Thursday, April 30th, 2026 — 'Music for Eternity'
- 9:30 AM — Breakfast concert
- 7:00 PM — Mass compositions by Johann Caspar Kerll with soloists and historical instruments
Friday, May 1st, 2026 — 'Bringing Music to Life'
- 9:30 AM — Breakfast concert
- 7:00 PM — Romantic organ compositions by Ferdinand Möhring with Organist Ulrich Seibert
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — 'With Music Through the Day'
- Seven half-hour concerts spread throughout the day in various Saarbrücken churches
- A walk through the city between concerts
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — Closing
- Brunch concerts in the morning
- Closing concert in the afternoon
Full program with ensembles, works, and venues available at alte-musik-saar.de/tamis.
Highlights TAMIS 2026
- Motto 2026: 'MUSIK LEBEN' (Music Lives)
- Daily breakfast concerts with free admission
- Tempera Mente, Abchordis Ensemble, Julian Becker, Ulrich Seibert
- 'With Music Through the Day' on Saturday — seven concerts across the city
Prices TAMIS 2026
Breakfast concerts: free admission with breakfast (donations welcome). Main concerts: €15–€25, discounted €5–€10 for academy members and students.
Practical information — TAMIS
Getting There
Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is well-connected by ICE/TGV — Paris in 1:50h, Frankfurt in 2h. From the station, most venues are reachable on foot or by Saarbahn (local train).
By Car
The A6 and A8 motorways connect Saarbrücken with Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg. Parking garages are available in the city center (St. Johanner Markt, Bahnhofstraße, Schlossplatz). Recommendation: Use P+R (Park and Ride) on the outskirts and the Saarbahn.
Tickets
Breakfast concerts: Free admission with complimentary breakfast (donations welcome). Evening main concerts: €15–€25, with discounts of €5–€10 for students, academy members, and social ticket holders. Tickets are available via the website alte-musik-saar.de and at the box office on the evening of the performance.
Venues
Deutschherrnkapelle (breakfast concerts), Ludwigskirche, Schlosskirche, Friedenskirche, Stiftskirche St. Arnual — all easily accessible on foot within Saarbrücken's city center. A city map with venues is available on the festival website.
Accommodation
Hotels are available in Saarbrücken's city center (Hotel La Résidence, Mercure, Ibis, Centro Hotel). Book early — the TAMIS week is popular.
Connection with Other Concerts
The Hochschule für Musik Saar and the Saarländisches Staatstheater often offer complementary Early Music events during the TAMIS week — check their respective websites for programs.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a TAMIS al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place TAMIS
Deutschherrnkapelle und verschiedene Kirchen in Saarbrücken
Deutschherrnkapelle und Kirchen Saarbrückens, 66111 Saarbrücken