Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Thomaskirche Leipzig: Church Services, Motets & Concerts

Name:

Location:

Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

Venues:

Thomaskirche, Leipzig

Years:

Since 1723 (Cantata Series, Motet Series)

Months:

January-December (Cantata Series, Motet Series)

Artistic Director:

Karl Straube (1918-1939)
Günther Ramin (1940-1956)
Kurt Thomas (1957-1960)
Erhard Mauersberger (1961-1972)
Hans-Joachim Rotzsch (1972-1991)
Georg Christoph Biller (1992-Present)

Ensembles:

Thomanerchor Leipzig

Website:

Thomaskirche Leipzig (Official Website) [German/English]

History & Mission:

The St. Thomas Church is one of 2 houses of worship in Leipzig’s city center. Home of the Thomanerchor Leipzig and a place of musical creativity; it is also the final resting place of the famous Thomaskantor, J.S. Bach.
The St. Thomas Church dates back to the 12^th Century. It was here in 1409 that the University of Leipzig was founded. From 1492 to 1496, the church had the form of a late Gothic hall church. It was also here in 1539 that Martin Luther preached the implementation of the Reformation. For the last 800 years, the Thomanerchor Leipzig has been singing here. Today, visitors from all over the world come to Leipzig to observe church services in the St. Thomas Church, hear a motet from the Thomanerchor Leipzig, or to take pleasure in concerts and organ music.

Events in the St. Thomas Church

Church Services:
Sundays and Holidays at 9:30am and 6:00pm with Eucharist
Church music with the Thomanerchor Leipzig, guest ensembles, or soloists
Admission free

Motets:
Music in Words - Words in Music
Fridays at 6:00pm (liturgical vesper service, lasts approx. 1 hour) and Saturdays at 3:00pm (normally with a Bach cantata performance, lasts approx. 1 ¼ hours)
Christmas Motet on Christmas Eve (Dec 24th) and New Years Eve Motet (Dec 31st) at 1:30pm
The motets are performed by the Thomanerchor Leipzig; however in their absence, motets will be preformed by guest ensembles and guest organists
There are no motets on Good Friday and during the Summer Holidays in Saxony
Every visitor is required to purchase an admissions program for 2€ per person at the entrance
Admission is free to children, pupils, and Leipzig-Pass cardholders

Concerts:
Concert tickets are required
Concert tickets (except the Passions and the Christmas Oratorio with the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig) may be bought in advance in the Thomasshop at the St. Thomas Church and in most ticket sales offices.

Recurrent yearly events:
March 21: Concert honouring Bach's Birthday
During the Summer Holidays in Saxony; Concert series "Organs and More", Saturdays at 3:00pm
October 31 Celebration Concert on Reformation Day
Monday after the 2nd Advent, 7:30pm: Christmas Organ Concert by Candlelight
November 4: Concert honouring Mendelssohn's Day of Death
December 3, 9:00pm: New Year's Eve Organ Concert

Logo: