Internationales Bachfest Schaffhausen

The International Bach Festival Schaffhausen is one of Switzerland‘s leading classical music festivals.
« Bach inspires! » is the motto of its 30th edition, taking place from May 08 – 12, 2024.

The International Bach Festival belongs to Schaffhausen nearly as inseparably as the world-famous Rhine Falls. Founded in 1946, the festival connects music lovers from all over the world through unforgettable experiences around the historic city of Schaffhausen and the magnificent landscape of the High Rhine. The festival programme centres on a specific motto and features uniquely devised concerts, enabling manifold connections to other composers, eras and musical styles. With world premieres, commissions and groundbreaking projects, the festival continuously sets new standards.

 « Bach inspires! » – the 30th anniversary edition of Schaffhausen's International Bach Festival will be devoted to the enthralling power, the spiritual gravity and the he irresistible magic of Bach's music. One special emphasis will be Bach's masses, as all of Bach's Kyrie–Gloria masses will feature in the programme alongside his Mass in B minor, which traditionally serves as the festival's final concert.

Alongside the presentation of Bach's masses, new musical creations and contemporary approaches to Bach complement the programme: Ukrainian composer Victoria Poleva will present a commissioned new work for the Dutch recorder virtuoso Erik Bosgraaf and Collegium Musicum Riga from Latvia, focusing on the subjects of sin, death and salvation in the Baroque era. Joining forces with Signum Saxophone Quartet., internationally celebrated pianist Kai Schumacher will explore the boundaries of musical creation in the «Goldberg Nights».

The outstanding orchestras and ensembles featuring in the 2024 festival include the Gaechinger Cantorey under the baton of Hans Christoph Rademann, Václav Luks' celebrated Collegium and Collegium Vocale 1704 from Prague, Solomon's Knot under the leadership of Jonathan Sells and Francesco Corti's Baroque orchestra Il Pomo d'Oro, best known for its recent collaboration with Cecilia Bartoli.

To accompany the concerts, the festival offers many additional events such as guided tours devoted to the Baroque era, special exhibitions at Schaffhausen's Museum zu Allerheiligen and river cruises on the Rhine. Alongside the cultural attractions, lovers of fine dining and Swiss wines will find some of Switzerland's best producers and hosts nearby.