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J. S. Bach-Stiftung Logo
J. S. Bach-Stiftung Bildmarke
J. S. Bach-Stiftung Bildmarke
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Unterstützen

Our project

About the J. S. Bach Foundation project

Unique concert events with the J. S. Bach Foundation - experience the timeless fascination of Johann Sebastian Bach's music live every month.

J S Bachstiftung Pic X Appenzeller Bachtage Eroeffnung Ya – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
J S Bachstiftung Pic X Appenzeller Bachtage Eroeffnung Ya

Our project

Bringing Bach’s Legacy to Life 

The Choir & Orchestra of the J. S. Bach Foundation is in the process of performing the complete vocal oeuvre of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), a remarkable undertaking that will take a total of around 25 years. Every month, the ensemble performs one Bach cantata under the baton of Rudolf Lutz.

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Jugendchor
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Jugendchor

    Our focus

    The J. S. Bach Foundation is performing the entire vocal oeuvre of J. S. Bach (1685−1750) in an ambitious concert cycle lasting around 25 years. The project was first conceived in 1999 by musician Rudolf Lutz and entrepreneur Konrad Hummler. Under their initiative, the J. S. Bach Foundation St. Gallen was established as a privately funded entity and the first concert took place in 2006.

    To the project

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Konzert Ya – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Konzert Ya

     25 years of cantata performances

    With a rhythm of 12 cantata concerts per year, the project is estimated to conclude in 2027. All introductory workshops, concerts and reflective lectures on the cantata texts are recorded on DVD and CD and made available worldwide – free of charge – on the Foundation's "Bachipedia" platform.

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Eroeffnung Konzert
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Eroeffnung Konzert

    Appenzeller Bachtage festival

    The Appenzeller Bachtage festival, initiated in 2014, takes place every two years. With this cultural project, the Foundation aims to further promote cultural life in Eastern Switzerland – and capture international attention.

BACH FOREVER

A monumental project

The project is fully financed by private persons. The organisation is dependant on third-party funding in order to complete the project.

Documentary on the J. S. Bach Foundation

“Experiencing Bach – The performance and recording of a Bach cantata”. Discover the idea behind the 25-year project of the J. S. Bach Foundation.

A GIGANTIC UNDERTAKING

Vocal oeuvre of Johann Sebastian Bach

The vocal oeuvre of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) comprises over 200 cantatas, six motets, various mass settings, Passions, oratorios, and the Mass in B minor.
Performing Bach's entire vocal oeuvre in a single concert cycle is a gigantic undertaking – in terms of sheer quantity alone. And the demands in terms of quality are equally as high due to Bach's exacting musical requirements and the challenge of interpreting his works.
Bach's cantatas are, as a general rule, compositions of several movements composed for choir, orchestra and solo vocalists. The cantatas were originally performed in church services (the church cantatas) or at festive events (worldly cantatas).
J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Konzert Ya – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
J S Bachstiftung Pic X Appenzeller Bachtage Festgottesdienst Foto Yannickandrea Y A – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen

  Our organisation 

Structure
& Engagement

 Get to know the J. S. Bach Foundation. Since its establishment, the foundation has been dedicated to the promotion of cultural life and the performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's vocal works.

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Dirigent Orchester
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Dirigent Orchester

    J. S. Bach Foundation

    Enables the public performance of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach 

    The J. S. Bach Foundation endeavours to promote cultural life in Eastern Switzerland by organising performances of Bach’s music and by providing the public, in particular young people, with a better understanding of the composer’s oeuvre.

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Kammermusik
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Kammermusik

    International J. S. Bach Foundation Zurich

    Promoting the project internationally

    In 2011, a second foundation, the International J. S. Bach Foundation of Zurich – whose activities are not limited to a particular region – was founded with its registered office in Zurich.

  • J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jeg Fotobyjelenagernert – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
    J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jeg Fotobyjelenagernert

    J. S. Bach St. Gallen AG

    Organisation and management of concert and publishing operations

    The operative activities were transferred from the J. S. Bach Foundation to its subsidiary to enable the Foundation to focus on fulfilling the objective set out in its statutes: to finance the performance of the entire vocal oeuvre of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Our COMMITMENT

Promoting Bach's vocal oeuvre

Raising the profile Bach's vocal oeuvre is a primary goal of the J. S. Bach Foundation.

In cooperation with Gallus Media AG, the Foundation records all its introductory workshops, reflective lectures and cantata concerts in outstanding sound and audio-visual quality. The CD and DVD recordings are available for purchase via the J.S. Bach Shop, international music stores and major online retailers. Through the sale of the recordings, the Foundation is able to realise a small profit that helps cover the costs of its work. By purchasing our CDs and DVDs, you contribute directly to the activities of the J.S. Bach Foundation.

Online presence and access is very important in today’s digital age, and for this reason, the Foundation established its “Bachipedia” platform. In doing so, the Foundation aims to reach even more people – especially the young – and to share the cultural assets it has cultivated over the years.

J S Bachstiftung Pic X Appenzellerjugendchorsamaebi – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
Caption this photo
J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Appenzeller Bachtage Matinee
Caption this photo

In order to raise the profile of Bach’s vocal works, the Foundation is also active on social networks such as Facebook and YouTube. Thanks to these online platforms, the J. S. Bach Foundation has succeeded in building a global community of several hundred thousand fans.

Under the baton of Rudolf Lutz, the choir, orchestra and soloists of the J. S. Bach Foundation give special concerts every year in St. Gallen and also perform regularly at renowned concert halls (Wiener Konzerthaus) and festivals such as the Bachfest in Leipzig, Germany, and the international Bachfest in Schaffhausen.

Get involved

Support us

Our cost-intensive concert activities are made possible by the significant financial support of private individuals (Foundation fellows, patrons, friends) who contribute in large and small, and who share our great passion for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Konzert Ya – J. S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen
J S Bachstiftung Pic X Jsbs Johannespassion Konzert Ya