Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Bachtage Ohrdruf

Name:

Bachtage Ohrdruf

Location:

Ohrdruf, Thuringia, Germany

Venues:

The Bachtage Ohrdruf primarily hosts its concerts, services, and events across significant historical and religious sites in the town, primarily using three historic venues:
St. Trinitatis Kirche (Church of the Holy Trinity): The main venue for orchestral concerts, choir performances, and cantata services.
Schloss Ehrenstein (Ehrenstein Palace): Hosts chamber concerts and events, often utilizing the courtyard or Rococo Chamber.
St. Michaelis Kirche: Occasionally used for smaller recitals or accompanying events.

Years:

Since 2010 (Biennial Festival)

Months:

June

Artistic Director:

Marco Lemme (Artistic Director: 2010-2012)
Christian Thadewald-Friedrich (Artistic Director: 2014-Present). He also serves as the Kantor of the St. St. Trinitatis Kirche in Ohrdruf.

Ensembles:

The Bachtage Ohrdruf regularly hosts a mix of renowned regional, national, and international performing ensembles alongside local community projects. Key performing ensembles that have graced the Bachtage include:
Thüringen Barock: A prominent early-music instrumental ensemble that frequently performs at the Trinitatiskirche, playing J.S. Bach and other Baroque composers.
Capella Jenensis: A celebrated Baroque and classical orchestra from Jena, often featured in cantata services and instrumental concertos.
Chamber Choir of Europe: A high-profile vocal ensemble that has participated in festival workshops and concerts, collaborating with local choirs.
Calmus Ensemble Leipzig: An internationally renowned a cappella group that has performed at the Holy Trinity Church.
Kantorei der Kirchgemeinde Ohrdruf: The local church choir that regularly performs during cantata worship services.
Weimar Baroque: An established period-instrument orchestra that has appeared in past editions of the festival.
Konzertchor Gotha: A regional choir that frequently collaborates with the festival for major choral projects and workshops.
Cantus Cölln: A renowned German vocal and instrumental ensemble founded in 1987 by lutenist and conductor Konrad Junghänel. Specializing in historically informed performances of Renaissance and Baroque music, the group is highly celebrated for its flawless homogeneity, pristine intonation, and expressive vocal transparency.

Website:

Bachtage Ohrdruf (Official Website) [German]
Bachtage Ohrdruf on Facebook
Stadt Ohrdruf on Facebook

History & Mission

The Bachtage Ohrdruf is a biennial classical music festival held in Ohrdruf, Germany. Its mission is to celebrate and honor the town’s deep ties to the Bach family - specifically the formative five years young Johann Sebastian Bach spent living and studying there by offering accessible community concerts, lectures, and musical projects.
Background
More than 170 years members of the Bach-family were acting as organists, cantors, deacons, superintendents and teachers in Ohrdruf. In 1695 the ten year old J.S. Bach moved to Ohrdruf to his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach. He attended the grammar school and gained his advanced knowledge in theology. Further more, he made his first steps as organist and composer during his time in Ohrdruf: Lessons with his brother, the church choir and organbuilding ...
When he left Ohrdruf in 1700, the young J.S. Bach was a well-skilled man. In Lüneburg, his next step, he served his further apprenticeship with the famous organist and composer Georg Böhm, who was born in a small village near Ohrdruf.
So Ohrdruf is very proud to have been one important station during the life of J.S. Bach and honors him and also Georg Böhm with this annual festival, the Bachtage Ohrdruf.
History
The festival was established in June 2010 to highlight the musical heritage of Ohrdruf, proudly known as "the smallest Bach city in Thuringia". It operates as a biennial event, taking place every two years, featuring high-profile performances that immerse visitors in the local history of the region's Baroque era.
Mission
Preserving J.S. Bach's Legacy: The festival focuses heavily on the historical significance of J.S. Bach's time in Ohrdruf (1695-1700), where he lived with his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach, who taught young Sebastian his foundational skills in organ playing and composition.
Cultural Engagement: The organizers aim to strengthen the cultural identity of the region by fostering tourism, organizing lectures, and presenting a diverse array of musical works.
Community Enrichment: Through local partnerships with the Evangelical Church communities, the festival provides a platform that connects classical music lovers with both established performers and local choruses.

Recent Festivals:

1^st Festival: Jun 10-13, 2010
2^nd Festival: Jun 21-24, 2012
3^rd Festival: Jun 15-22, 2014
4^th Festival: Jun 19-26, 2016
5^th Festival: Mar 21-Jul 28, 2020
6^th Festival: Jun 21-25, 2023
7^th Festival: Jun 19-22, 2025

Logo: