Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Budapest Bach Weeks

Name:

Budapest Bach Weeks (Budapest Bach-hét)

Location:

Budapest, Hungary

Venues:

Hungarian Lutheran Church, 1052 Budapest Deaktér 4

Years:

Since 1990 (Annual Festival)

Months:

May-June

Artistic Director:

Salamon Kamp (Music Director of the Hungarian Lutheran Church)

Ensembles:

Lutherania Choir & Chamber Orchestra
Budapest Strings Chamber Orchestra
Weiner-Szász Chamber Symphony

Website:

Hungarian Bach Society [Hungarian/English]

History & Mission:

Hungarian Bach Society
Established at Tamás Zászkaliczky's proposal in 1992, the Hungarian Bach Society held its statutory meeting in Budapest on February 29, 1992. A common concern to all foundation members - musicians and non-musicians alike - was the love and appreciation of J.S. Bach's rich oeuvre. Since then membership has grown to about 200. Member can be anyone who agrees with the set objectives of the Society, promotes their realization and pays the membership fee.
One of the major purposes of the Society is to foster playing in concerts Bach's seldom or practically never heard compositions, in addition to his regularly performed masterpieces. The Society is based at the Budapest Lutheran Church on Deák tér where - thanks to the Choir Lutheránia - Bach's music has been cultivated for decades. This church has been host to both the highly acclaimed annual Budapest Bach Weeks and the so-called Bach weekends. The cantatas and oratorios are performed within religious services to comply with their original liturgical framework. To our greatest pleasure audiences understand and appreciate even less familiar works.
The Society's other aim of crucial importance is to promote Hungarian and international Bach scholarship. In the series Bach Studies writings by Hungarian and foreign authors appear, providing publication possibilities for young Hungarian musicologists as well. The Society maintains contact with other Bach Societies abroad, first of all with the German Bach Society (Neue Bach Gesellschaft).
By now it has become evident that Bach's works represent perennial values outlasting fashions and times. In addition to the magic of harmony and counterpoint emanating from his music, the community spirit and tone so characteristic of Bach's art fascinate the people of our time as well. Meeting perfection day by day makes you shudder. Bach's music embraces us all; it elevates us or rather bends down to us and gives us new ideas and inspirations each day.

Budapest Bach Weeks
J.S. Bach left behind a legacy which is unprecedented in musical diversity, compositional qualities aesthetic expression, and the power of formulating theological truths.
The essence of his music was best expressed by János Pilinszky: “In fact it is not the creative power of Bach that touches me but the power which radiates from his deep covenant with the Creator.”
All mankind thirst for truth and order. Bach's music arouses this inborn desire in us. It awakens our inner soul, which retains its purity throughout life. Therefore our striving for God's perfect standard can become a reality.
As the artistic director of the Budapest Bach Weeks I wish that the music of Bach would lift us into the light of the love of God.

Concert Details:

Program, artists, instruments, etc.

Recent Festivals:

1^st Festival: Jun 4-10, 1990
2^nd Festival: Jun 3-9, 1991
3^rd Festival: Jun 1-7, 1992
4^th Festival: May 31-Jun 6, 1993
5^th Festival: May 30-Jun 5, 1994
6^th Festival: May 29, Jun 4, 1995
7^th Festival: Jun 3-9, 1996
8^th Festival: Jun 2-8, 1997
9^th Festival: Jun 1-7, 1998
10^th Festival: Jun 4-13, 1999

11^th Festival: Jun 5-11, 2000
12^th Festival: Jun 4-10, 2001
13^th Festival: Jun 3-9, 2002
14^th Festival: Jun 1-8, 2003
15^th Festival: Jun 7-13, 2004
16^th Festival: Jun 6-12, 2005
17^th Festival: Jun 5-11, 2006
18^th Festival: Jun 4-10, 2007
19^th Festival: Jun 2-8, 2008
20^th Festival: Jun 1-7, 2009

21^st FestivaL Jun 7-12, 2010
22^nd Festival: Jun 6-12, 2011
23^rd Festival: Jun 4-10, 2012
24^th Festival: Jun 3-9, 2013
25^th Festival: Jun 9-15, 2014
26^th Festival: Jun 1-7, 2015
27^th Festival: Jun 6-12, 2016
28^th Festival: Jun 5-11, 2017
29^th Festival: Jun 4-10, 2018
30^th Festival: Jun 3-10, 2019

31^st Festival: 2020 (transmitted via Zoom because of the COVID)
32^nd Festival: Jun 7-12, 2021
33^rd Festival: Jun 4-10, 2022
34^th Festival: Jun 3-9, 2023
35^th Festival: Jun 9-15, 2024

Logo: