Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen

Name:

Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen
Bad Hersfelder Bach-Tage

Location:

Bad Hersfeld, Hesse, Germany

Venues:

Alsfeld, Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Roßmarkt 26)
Bad Hersfeld, J.S. Bach-Haus (Nachtigallenstr. 7)
Bad Hersfeld, Stadthalle (Wittastr. 5)
Bad Homburg-Gonzenheim, Ev. Kirche (Kirchgasse)
Bensheim, Michaelskirche (Darmstädter Str. 25)
Darmstadt, Pauluskirche (Niebergallweg 20)
Erfurt, Michaeliskirche (Michaelisstr.)
Eschborn, Ev. Kirche (Eschenplatz)
Frankfurt a. M., Heiliggeistkirche im Dominikanerkloster (Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 23)
Frankfurt-Ginnheim, Alte Bethlehemkirche (Ginnheimer Kirchplatz)
Frankfurt-Hoechst, Pfarrkirche St. Josef (Hostatostr. 12)
Hünfeld, Klosterkirche St. Bonifatius (Klosterstr. 5)
Kassel, Kirche St. Familia (Kölnische Str. 55)
Künzell-Pilgerzell, Kirche St. Flora und St. Kilian am Florenberg
Marburg, Kirche St. Peter und Paul (Biegenstr.)
Marburg,Universitätskirche (Reitgasse)
Mühlhausen, Kirche St. Josef (Waidstr.)
Schwalmstadt-Ziegenhain, Schloßkirche (Paradeplatz)
Waltershausen, Stadtkirche (Lutherstr.)
Weimar, Herderkirche (Herderplatz)

Years:

Since 1974 (Annual Festival)

Months:

Usually March-April (around Easter)

Artistic Director:

Siegfried Heinrich (1974-2023)
The long-time artistic director of the Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen was Professor Siegfried Heinrich. He founded the festival in 1974 and led it - together with numerous other choirs and festivals in the region -until his death in February 2023.
Since he left no direct successors to continue his work, the current successor events, such as the Thüringer Bachwochen in Thuringia and the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart in the region, each operate with their own artistic directors.

Ensembles:

The Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen and the region’s premier Thüringer Bachwochen feature a mix of globally renowned historically informed performance (HIP) ensembles, local Baroque specialists, and cross-genre artists.
Historically and continually, the festivals rely on an impressive roster of both resident and international performing ensembles, including:
Vocal & Choral Ensembles: Vox Luminis (Director: Lionel Meunier), Collegium Vocale Gent (Director: Philippe Herreweghe), and Gaechinger Cantorey (Director: Hans-Christoph Rademann).
Baroque & Chamber Orchestras: Bach Collegium Japan (Director: Masaaki Suzuki), Freiburger Barockorchester, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Regional Ensembles: The official ambassador of the region, the Thüringer Bach Collegium, as well as the Marburger Konzertchor and the Posener Knabenchor.
The festivals emphasize authentic historical interpretations, bringing in surprise guest instrumentalists and choirs to play in the exact, historic churches and sites where J.S. Bach himself lived and worked.

Website:

Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen

History & Mission:

The Internationale Bachtage in Hessen und Thüringen (International Bach Days in Hesse and Thuringia) is a prominent classical music festival spanning Germany's central states. Its mission is to celebrate J.S. Bach’s musical heritage by performing his works at authentic historical venues where he lived, worked, and composed.
History and Origins
Regional Connection: The festival leverages the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties both regions have to the Bach family. Thuringia is famously known as the Stammkland (homeland) of the Bach lineage, while neighboring Hesse holds significant sites of his later life and musical legacy.
The festival originally emerged to bring J.S. Bach's timeless compositions—particularly his choral works, cantatas, and passions - out of standard concert halls and into spaces with acoustic and spiritual significance.
While spanning both states, the festival is heavily anchored in Bad Hersfeld, Hesse, utilizing historic venues such as the J.S. Bach-Haus and local churches.
Mission and Core Objectives
Authentic Venues: The primary mission of the festival is to bridge the gap between history and performance by staging concerts at authentische Wirkungsstätten (authentic sites of activity). This often includes former workplaces, castles, and historic churches across both states.
Musical Education and Appreciation: The festival aims to deepen the public's understanding of Baroque music. It provides a platform not only for world-renowned ensembles but also for regional choirs and upcoming talents to perform complex sacred music.
A Journey Through Time: By operating across two German states, the mission is to create a seamless geographical and cultural journey, allowing attendees to literally walk in the footsteps of the composer.

Recent Festivals:

30^th Festival: Apr 14-23, 2003

31^st Festival: Apr 6-25, 2004
32^nd Festival: Mar 19-Apr 11, 2005
33^rd Festival: Apr 11-17, 2006
34^th Festival: Apr 3-22, 2007
35^th Festival: Mar 16-24, 2008
36^th Festival: Apr 6-19, 2009
37^th Festival: Mar 20-Apr 11, 2010
38^th Festival: Apr 19-May 1, 2011
39^th Festival: Apr 6-8, 2012
40^th Festival: Mar 22-Apr 4, 2013

41^st Festival: Apr 13-27, 2014
42^nd Festival: Mar 27-Apr 9, 2015
43^rd Festival: May 27-Jun 5, 2016
44^th Festival: Apr 14-17, 2017
45^th Festival: Jun 9-24, 2018
46^th Festival: Apr 18-22, 2019
47^th Festival: Apr 10-13, 2020 (Cancelled, Covid-19)
48^th Festival: Apr 2-4, 2021
49^th Festival: Apr 14-18, 2022
50^th Festival: Apr 7-10, 2023

51^st Festival: Mar 21-Apr 14, 2024
52^nd Festival: Apr 11-May 4, 2025

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