Johann Sebastian Bach and his son Carl Philipp Emanuel

The theme of the year 2014 in Weimar is the famous baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach and his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

Born in Eisenach on 21st March 1685, J. S. Bach was orphaned at the age of 9. He then moved to his brother Johann Christoph, who was 13 years older and organist at St. Michaelis’ Church in Ohrdruf. From him he received a musical education and became familiar with the organ.
At the age of fourteen Bach was awarded a scholarship to continue his schooling in Lüneburg. After finishing school in 1702 he was employed as a violinist and later as organist in Arnstadt in Mühlhausen.
From 1708 until 1717 J. S. Bach lived and worked in Weimar. During this time he created a substantial part of his organ compositions. His 5 children were born also here.
At first, Bach was court organist and chamber musician. In 1714 he was appointed concertmaster of the court orchestra in Weimar. In the same year his son Carl Philipp Emanuel was born, who also devoted his life to music.
Bach’s subsequent stages were Köthen until 1723, followed by Leipzig, where he died in 1750.

The Weimar Bach anniversary year will enable the grand master of baroque music and his son to emerge from the shadow occasionally shed by the Weimar classical writers, and be appreciated through a series of delightful programs and events.

There is a rich schedule of events in Weimar this year celebrating the life and works of the two composers both historically and musically.

The Weimar venues are mainly the Herderkirche (Herder Church), the Stadtschloss (City Palace) and Schloss Ettersburg (Castle Ettersburg).

The main events are

- The Bach Festival 2014 from 30th April to 4th May 2014
- The Thuringian Bach Weeks from 11th April to 4th May 2014
- The Bach Biennale from 1st May to 4th May 2014


In addition, there are thematic guided tours and other accompanying events.

Further information in English can be found on the website of the Weimar GmbH:

www.weimar.de/tourismus/kultur-freizeit/themenjahre/cpe-bach-2014/

You may also obtain information and advice regarding the respective current events from the Hotel Fürstenhof am Bauhaus Weimar.