Thuringian Bach Weeks — Opening Eisenach

Four Weeks of Bach in Thuringia

When the bells of St. George's Church ring out at the end of March to open the Thuringian Bach Weeks, the largest festival for Baroque music in the Free State begins. For four weeks, Johann Sebastian Bach will resonate in the places where he lived, played, and composed: in Eisenach, where he was born in 1685 and baptized in St. George's Church; in Arnstadt, where he took up his first organist position at the age of 18; in Weimar, Mühlhausen, Köthen, Gotha, Altenburg, Sondershausen, and Meiningen — and of course in Erfurt, where the festival traditionally ends with a closing concert in the Cathedral. This geographical scope, combined with the authentic venues in Thuringia's castles and churches, makes the festival unique worldwide.

2026 Motto: "Herrschaftszeiten!"

The 2026 edition focuses on Bach's relationship with the political elites of his time. "Herrschaftszeiten! — Bach and the powers that be" asks how much Bach's career and work were shaped by courts, patronage, and courtly life — as court organist in Weimar, Kapellmeister in Köthen, and Thomaskantor with numerous connections to the Saxon-Polish royal court. The concerts will be specifically placed in former residences: Altenburg, Gotha, Meiningen, Weimar, and Sondershausen will thus become stages, bringing back the atmosphere of courtly performances.

Opening in Bach's Baptismal Church

The opening on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Eisenach's St. George's Church brings together two heavyweights of early music: the Belgian vocal ensemble Vox Luminis and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra will present sacred music that Bach and his contemporaries wrote for courts and princely families. It is Bach's baptismal church — and thus symbolically charged for the motto "Herrschaftszeiten!": it was here that the later "Court Kapellmeister of Anhalt-Köthen" was received into the faith.

Stars of Early Music and Experimental Formats

Around 50 concerts are spread across the four festival weeks. The program features world-renowned ensembles such as the RIAS Chamber Choir Berlin, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, and the Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt. The BACH>>FORWARD series presents experimental formats that cross Bach with Celtic and Asian music. The closing concert on Easter Sunday, April 19, will be performed by the British choir Tenebrae in Erfurt Cathedral.

Eisenach as the Festival Centerpiece

Eisenach in the Wartburg district is the geographical center of the festival: Bach was born here, and the Bach House with its authentic collection of historical instruments is located here. Several Bach Weeks concerts will take place at the Bach House, in St. George's Church, and at Wartburg Castle. Those who want to experience the full scope can combine several concerts with a stay in the Luther town — Eisenach is within walking distance of the ICE/IC train station.