55th Merseburg Organ Festival

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH IN THE PAST AND PRESENT - ON THE 275TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

From 13 to 21 September 2025, the 55th Merseburg Organ Festival will take place in the Imperial Cathedral of Merseburg. Under this year's motto "Johann Sebastian Bach in the past and present - on the 275th anniversary of his death", the festival will focus on the famous works of the musical genius and their significance over the centuries. One highlight will be the performance of Bach's "St Matthew Passion" in the Leipzig version performed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in 1840.

The varied programme ranges from Baroque masterpieces and the reappraisal of Bach's legacy in later centuries to modern interpretations of his music. Organists and ensembles from various Bach cities such as Eisenach, Arnstadt, Mühlhausen, Weimar and Leipzig come to Merseburg to introduce visitors to the musical diversity of the Bach tradition.

Event highlights:

Saturday, 13 September, 19:00 - Opening concert
FOCUS BOYS' CHOIR
Hanover Boys' Choir
On the Ladegast organ: Ullrich Böhme - Leipzig
Management: Jörg Breiding

A high-calibre concert by the Hanover Boys' Choir with impressive organ sounds on the historic Ladegast organ.

Sunday, 14 September, 7:00 pm
FOCUS PASSION I
Johann Sebastian Bach: "St Matthew Passion" BWV 240
in the Leipzig version by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1840)
Soloists, Merseburg Cathedral Choir, Chamber Choir of the Saalfeld Castle Chapel
Staatskapelle Halle, conductor: cathedral cantor Stefan Mücksch

An unforgettable musical event: the "St Matthew Passion" is performed in the version handed down by Mendelssohn - a highlight of the Bach anniversary celebrations.

Thursday, 18 September, 7:00 pm
The big evening concert I. Part
FOCUS BACHSTÄDTE: Naumburg
(The most important Bach site next to Köthen in Saxony-Anhalt, Bach's son-in-law was organist here, Bach approved the organ building)
At the Ladegast organ: Wenceslas organist Nicolas Berndt

Saturday, 20 September, 18:00 – THE GREAT BROOK NIGHT
18:00 - ORGAN CONCERT
"The crayfish in the brook and the organs of Tobias Heinrich Gottfried Trost"
On the Ladegast organs: Daniel Beilschmidt - Organist at the castle church of Altenburg

20:00 - ORCHESTRA CONCERT
New Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig
Management: Reinhard Göbel

22:00 - BACH-JAZZ-LOUNGE in the cloister
Thomas Gabriel Trio plays Bach

The "Great Bach Night" offers a fascinating journey through the many facets of Bach's music - from classical organ sounds to baroque orchestral music and jazzy Bach interpretations.

The Merseburg Organ Days not only offer an insight into the world of Johann Sebastian Bach, but also a platform for the living heritage of the great organ tradition.

Further information at www.merseburger-orgeltage.de

Tickets are available in advance via Reservix, ADticket and in the Tourist Information Merseburg.