The Bach Festival 2014, which runs from 13-22 June, enjoys a truly unique atmosphere, with many concerts taking place in the locations where Bach's works were first performed. Every year it attracts thousands of music devotees from around the globe.
Opening concert with Thomanerchor
The Bach Festival 2014 opens with a concert featuring the renowned Thomanerchor (St Thomas Boys Choir) together with the Canadian Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, this year's "ensemble in residence". The concert, which takes place at 5 p.m. on 13 June in the St Thomas Church, will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the 300th anniversary of whose birth is celebrated this year. The Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra will also perform on 16 and 21 June at 8 p.m. in the St Nicholas Church.
Bach meets jazz
This year's festival includes a special series of events entitled "BACHmosphäre". This is a celebration of Bach in the squares, historical arcades, clubs and lounges of the city centre. Modern sounds and images will take the place of Leipzig's historical pipers, minstrels and torchbearers. Concerts include performances by Leipzig's leading jazz ensembles, drawing their inspiration from the locations associated with Bach: the LeipJAZZig-Orkester under Stephan König, featuring tenor Martin Petzold (13 June, 9 p.m.), the David Orlowsky Trio (14 June, 9.45 p.m.) and the Daniel Schmahl Sextet (15 June, 8 p.m.).
Promenade concert in the arcades
Leipzig's system of arcades will also be hosting musical events this year. The traditional "Wandelkonzert" or promenade concert brings together young musicians who transform the historical locations into concert halls. The various performances all begin at 5 p.m. on 21 June in and around the city's arcades, and will be repeated several times.