Guide to Bach Tour

Contents

Description | Events in Life History of J.S. Bach | Performance Dates of J.S. Bach’s Vocal Works | Features of Interest | Information & Links | Photos | Maps

Description & History

Lübeck (215,000 inhabitants) is a city in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. It was a member of the Hanseatic League and is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Lübeck is situated at the Trave river. The old part of the town is an island enclosed by the Trave and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. The borough Travemünde is at the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Originally Lübeck was inhabited by Slavic peoples, who settled at the Trave banks some kilometres outside the today town centre. They were subdued in 1158 by Henry the Lion, who newly founded the city. In the 14^th century Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of this medieval trade organisation, before the sister city of Danzig took over lead in the Hansa. In 1533 an armed conflict with Denmark led to the loss of the power. Thomas Mann and Willy Brandt were born in Lübeck. Today, Lübeck is the second largest city in Schleswig-Holstein.

Lübeck has stronghold of brick Gothic architecture. The old town is dominated by seven church steeples. The eldest ones are the Dom and the Marienkirche (Saint Mary), both from the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Once the town could only be entered by passing one of four town gates, of which the Holstentor (1478) is the best known. The entire old town has kept a medieval look with old buildings and narrow streets.

Lübeck provides an interesting programme of cultural events throughout the entire year. What more obvious way could there be of discovering its attractions than by following in the footsteps of J.S. Bach? Visitors in this UNESCO world heritage site with its historic dwelling-houses, brick churches and picturesque passageways, waterways and courtyards, can today experience the city’s unique cultural history at every turn. The museums display rare items ranging from historic toy dolls and puppets to examples of contemporary art – and, of course, literature in the Heinrich and Thomas Mann Centre. “Live” events in Lübeck include gala concerts in the Music and Congress Hall, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, plays and operas in the restored Jugendstil theatre and opera-air rock spectaculars. And other sightseeing amidst all the brick Gothic architecture you can relax in the Baltic spa and international rendezvous of Travemünde and enjoy the healthy seaside air.

In 1705 J.S. Bach walked from Arnstadt to Lübeck in order to hear the well-known master organist, Dietrich Buxtehude, plays the organ in St. Mary’s Church. The latter famous “evening music” inspired Bach to introduce musical innovations, which typified his later works.

Events in Life History of J.S. Bach

Date/Year	Event
Arnstadt (1703-1707)
Nov +, 1705	Prolonged visit to Lübeck to stay four months with Dietrich Buxtehude
Dec 2-3, 1705	Buxtehude oratorios Castrum doloris and Templum bonoris performed in Lübeck

Performance Dates of J.S. Bach’s Vocal Works: None.

Features of Interest

Information & Links

The 12^th century Church of St. Mary (Marienkirche) with Bach relief - St. Mary's, the church of the Council of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, is the third-largest church building in Germany. Its construction took some 100 years. It serves as a model for countless Gothic style brick churches in the entire Baltic region. Many works of art are found at St. Mary's, such as, for example, Gerhard Marcks' "The Cross of Triumph" of 1495, on the high choir above the Swarte altar. It is also home to the world's largest mechanical organ. From 1667 to 1707, the well-known church musician and composer Dietrich Buxtehude was St. Mary's organist and work master. The church bells that fell during the air raids in 1942 are reminders of the horrors of war.
Old Town inner precincts with over 1,000 brick Gothic houses
Museum Harbour.
Heinrich and Thomas Mann Museum in the Buddenbrook House.
The world’s oldest pub

Lübeck und Travemünde
Tourismus-Zentrale LTZ
Beckergrube 95
D-23539 Lübeck
Tel: +49-451/122-1908 / Fax: +49-451/122-1202
and
Tel: +49-4502/804-31 / Fax: +49-4502/804-60
Websitet: Lübeck Tourismus [German/English/Italian]
E-Mail: marketing@luebeck-tourismus.de

Lübeck (Official Website) [German]
Lübeck (Wikipedia) [various languages]
Cityreview: Schlezwig-Holstein > Lübeck [German]
Lübeck (Meinestadt) [German]

The J.S. Bach Tourist 6: Lübeck (Koster)
On the Traces of J.S. Bach: Lübeck (German Tourism) [German/English]

Prepared by Aryeh Oron (March 2004)

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Last update: ýAugust 6, 2004 ý07:26:55