Our concerts
Our aim is not to simply perform the cantatas one by one, but to foster a thorough experience of Bach and a deeper appreciation of his music. That is why we perform the works according to their place in the church calendar and round out the programme with complementary modules.
A unique concept
Introductory workshops
One and a half hours prior to the concert, conductor Rudolf Lutz and theologist Niklaus Peter (who succeeded pastor Karl Graf in May 2018) give a 45-minute workshop on the musical and theological background of the evening's cantata.
Concert evenings
Only one cantata is performed per concert – but, for that, it is played twice. To present the work in its context, each cantata is performed according to its place in the church calendar.
Reflective lectures
Between the two cantata performances, a notable speaker reflects on the cantata’s libretto from a modern and personal standpoint. These reflective lectures lend a new perspective to the second hearing of the work.
Concert format
3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.: Calov Bible
- Presentation of the Calov Bible and reading of the pericope texts with Konrad Hummler
5.30 p.m. – 6.10 pm: Introductory workshop
- Introductory workshop with Rudolf Lutz and Niklaus Peter
- Light refreshments
7.00 pm: Concert incl. reflective lecture
- First performance of the cantata
- Reflection on the baroque cantata text from a modern perspective
- Second performance of the cantata
Presenting the Calov Bible
New in 2024: the The J. S. Bach Foundation will regularly present its Calov bible.
Printed in 1681/82, the three volume, 27kg commentary to the Luther Bible was Johann Sebastian Bach’s constant companion when composing, and it contains many notations his own hand. At 3.30 p.m. on concert days, the Calov bible will be opened at the pericopes for the relevant cantata and displayed at Landsgemeindeplatz 2, 9043 Trogen, giving concertgoers an opportunity to discover this beautiful facsimile of “Bach’s bible”. Concertgoers are also invited to attend a reading and discussion of the pericopes at 15.45 p.m. on the first floor of the Krone hotel.
Concert venue
The Choir and Orchestra of the J. S. Bach Foundation performs in the main churches of the Appenzell Ausserrhoden area – such as the Protestant churches in Trogen, Teufen and Speicher – and in the city of St. Gallen.
The venue for each concert is listed in the concert calendar. Information about each venue and nearby parking is given below.
Olma-Halle 2.0 St. Gallen - St. Fiden
Arrival by public transport
Travel by train or bus to St. Gallen Bahnhof (main station) or St. Gallen - St. Fiden: SBB timetable
From St. Gallen main station
- with Bus No. 3 (direction ""Heiligkreuz"") to the stop “Olma Messen” or “Langgass”
- with Bus No. 4 (direction ""Wittenbach Bahnhof"") to the stop “Olma Messen” or “Langgass”
- with Bus No. 6 (direction ""Heiligkreuz"") to the stop “Olma Messen” or “Rosenheimstrasse”
From St. Gallen - St. Fiden train station
- 5 minute walk, follow sign posts
Arrival by car
From A1 motorway, take exit St. Gallen - St. Fiden (No. 82) and follow signs to “Olma Messen St.Gallen”
Addresses for paid parking
Please enter the following details in your GPS device: Sonnenstr. 39, 9008 St. Gallen (Parkgarage Olma Messen) Jägerstrasse, 9008 St. Gallen (Parkplatz F6)
Evang. Kirche Trogen (AR)
A limited number of parking spaces are available at the fire station (Spitzacker car park). Direct train connection from St. Gallen with the Appenzeller Bahnen train service.
Evang. Kirche St. Mangen (SG)
The concert venue is located in the old town of St. Gallen. Parking is available in the surrounding multi-storey car parks. The church is easy to reach by public transport.
Kirche St. Laurenzen (SG)
The concert venue is located in the old town of St. Gallen and is easily accessible by public transport. Parking is available in the surrounding multi-storey car parks.
Evang. Kirche Teufen (AR)
Parking spaces near the church in Teufen are limited. Further parking is available infront of the armoury (Zeughaus) and at the parking lots "Parkplatz Hechtacker" and "Bahnhof Parking". The "Appenzellerbahn" train to Teufen departs St. Gallen every half hour, and every 15 minutes during peak periods.
Ortsbürgergemeinde St. Gallen
The concert venue is located in the old town of St. Gallen. Parking is available at various parking blocks in the area.
Aula Rudolf Steiner Schule (SG)
Parking is available at the nearby parking block at Hotel Oberwaid. Direct connection from St. Gallen with the Postauto-bus 210.
Evang. Kirche Speicher (AR)
In Speicher, there are several parking lots just a ten-minute walk from the church. These can be found at the train station (Bahnhof), behind the train station (Hinterer Bahnhof), the post office (Post), and opposite the train station at the address "Hauptstrasse 22".
How to get there
The concert venues can be reached by public transport or car.
Travelling by public transport
Whenever possible, please travel to the concerts by public transport:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable.html
Travelling by car
We suggest you choose your route using Google Maps:
www.google.com/maps
"Rudolf Lutz and Friends" matinee events
Artist talks with music and more
Join our artist talks for an insightful morning after the concert the night before. Our artists are hosted by Rudolf Lutz, who plays both entertainer and interviewer, drawing his guests out on interesting, new – and surprising – topics.
The event generally takes place in the main hall of the Ortsbürgergemeinde St. Gallen.
Programme
Coffee and croissants await you from 9.30 a.m., the event begins at 10.30 a.m.
Admission
Tickets: CHF 20.00 or by redeeming a sponsor's voucher. Tickets can be purchased from our online ticket shop or directly at the venue.
