Guide to Bach Tour

Description & History

Meiningen (23,000 inhabitants) is an idyllic, stately and cultural town, which lies about 30 KM south of Schmalkalden, tucked between the Thuringian Forest and the Rhon mountain range. This town on the Werra River was once the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Meiningen and owes its continuing reputation as a regional cultural centre to the vision of Duke Georg II (1826-1914). In 1866 he founded a resident theatre troupe, which toured its lavish productions as far as Moscow and London and is said to be the forerunner to the Royal Shakespeare company. All in all, they gave 2,591 performances in 38 cities. Georg also catapulted the court orchestra -the Meininger Hofkapelle – to international fame by appointing the pianist-conductor Hans von Bülow as musical director. He later passed the baton to Richard Strauss and Max Reger. The annual theatre festival in spring enjoys a fine reputation throughout German-speaking countries.

J.S. Bach has never been in Meiningen. However, Saxe-Meiningen was one of the duchies and principalities in Thuringia where the Bach family lived and worked. Members of the Bach family who worked in Meiningen were:
Nicolaus Ephraim Bach (1603, Wasungen – 1760, Gandersheim), son of Johann Jacob Bach, was appointed in 1708 musician and in 1719 organist at the Meiningen court. In 1724 he became organist in Gandersheim.
Johann Ludwig Bach (1677, Thal near Eisenach – 1731, Meiningen), son of Johann Jacob, was a court musician in Meiningen from 1699 to 1703. He was buried in Meiningen.
Samuel Anton Bach (1713, Meiningen – 1781, Meiningen), son of Johann Ludwig Bach, studied with J.S. Bach in Leipzig around 1732. Late he was court organist in Meiningen and for time also court painter.
Gottlieb Friedrich Bach (1714, Meiningen – 1785, Meiningen), son of Johann Ludwig Bach, was court organist and painter (Kabinettmaler) in Meiningen.
Johann Philipp Bach (1752, Meiningen – 1846, Meiningen), son of Gottlieb Friedrich Bach, was court organist and painter (Kabinettmaler) in Meiningen from 1790.

Events in Life History of J.S. Bach: None.

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

Features of Interest	Information & Links
Schloß Elisabethenburg, with Reneissance at collection, Music Museum and Theater Museum.	Meiningen (Official Website) [German] Meiningen Online [German] Das Meininger Theater [German] Kirchen in Meiningen [German] Meiningen (Meinestadt) [German] Cityreview: Thüringen > Meiningen

Prepared by Aryeh Oron (March 2004)

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Last update: ýMarch 27, 2004 ý15:49:26