BACH in space

On the occasion of the anniversary »Bach300 - 300 years of Bach in Leipzig« and the start of the Bachfest on June 8, 2023, the Bachfest Leipzig begins a special kind of cooperation. Together with the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and TERC, the Bach-Archiv Leipzig will publish breathtaking monthly image series from the International Space Station (ISS) and combine them with the everlasting music of Johann Sebastian Bach. A tribute to the beauty and perfection of our planet and Bach's music!

The videos appear at monthly intervals on the social media channels of the Bach-Archiv Leipzig.

You can find the entire video series on our YouTube channel.

Earth Chaconne for Bachfest kick-off

Michael Maul, Artistic Director of the Bachfest Leipzig:
»When Dan Barstow from the Association of Space Explorers first showed me the video with images of our beautiful but so fragile planet, taken from the ISS, and combined with the everlasting sounds of Bach’s D minor Chaconne, I had tears in my eyes: nature that seems like a work of art, united with a work of art that seems completely natural - simply wonderful! Now I am grateful, proud and happy that we - the Bachfest, the Bach Competition Leipzig and the Association of Space Explorers - are planning a whole series of such powerful fusions for the future. Views of our unique planet, combined with equally unique compositions by Bach: the perfect match. Thank you, dear astronauts – BACH – We are FAMILY!«
 

Daniel Barstow, Education Mission Specialist of ASE and Director of the Earth Movie Theater supported by ASE and TERC:
»The movie ›Earth Chaconne‹ is our 300th anniversary gift from the ASE to Bachfest and humanity, paying homage to Bach’s towering legacy in music.«
 

German astronaut Gerhard Thiele also participated in the video production:
»Words just cannot do justice to Bach’s music, which appears to be out of this world, just like the view of our home planet from an Earth orbit. Maybe that’s why the video and the music are such a wonderful match!«
 

Before thy throne I now appear for the anniversary of J. S. Bach's death

With these breathtaking images of our planet, we commemorate the anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's death today!

Organist Johannes Unger played the prelude "Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit", BWV 668a in St. Thomas Church on July 28, 2020.

Dona nobis pacem in August 2023

In June 2020, during the Corona pandemic, a very special performance of Bach's immortal Mass in B minor took place. Bachfest Leipzig invited people around the world to participate at home via a livestream. People from every continent tuned in. Now we combine those incredible images with the movies of our planet, delivered by the Association of Space Explorers. The perfect match: Bach's music and the view from space overcome all geographical and cultural boundaries. in these times, we all need: Peace. Dona nobis pacem!

Prelude in C major for September 2023

We get impressive images of Namibia and the Atlantic from the ISS. The Prelude in C major from the Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 1) BWV 846 can be heard in a recording by Bob van Asperen. The autographs from the municipal libraries (Peters Collection) can also be seen.