Johann Sebastian Bach spent a full five years as court conductor in Koethen. Here he found ideal artistic conditions with the magnificently appointed court chapel and Prince Leopold who loved music. Bach composed glittering orchestral works and demanding chamber music for the regular concerts in the Koethen palace as well as the first part of the Well-tempered Clavier. There was no actual requirement in the Calvanistic court for organ music or sacred cantatas, however, Bach found his spiritual home in the Lutheran Agnus church. His time in Koethen was over-shadowed by the sudden death of his first wife, Maria Barbara. The 35-year-old widower, who was left alone with four children, quickly met and fell in love with the court singer, Anna Magdalena Wilcke and they celebrated a rousing wedding ceremony in December 1721.
Whether it is live from St Thomas church or as a recording to re-watch: Our concerts offer Bach in all his variety, with the best performers in historic locations – and always worth to be discovered.
A beautiful selection of cantatas with organ highlights
Amandine Beyer plays Bach's virtuoso sonatas and partitas
Bach's cello suites played by Sergey Malov, cello da spalla
Bach's cello suites played by Sergey Malov, cello da spalla
Bach's St. John Passion as a show trial
A "Hausmusik" party on the occasion of JSB's birthday
Bach is techno - A live-mix of violin, beats and Bachs music
An intimate chamber music performance in Missouri (USA)
with violinist Leila Schayegh and Le Concert Lorrain
The final concert of the Weimar Bach Cantata Academy 2017
St John Passion, BWV 245 (1725 version) with Solomon’s Knot
Bach's first birthday in times of a pandemic