125 years of the Neue Bachgesellschaft
12.05.2025
For 125 years now, the Neue Bachgesellschaft, founded in 1900, has dedicated itself to the cultivation and dissemination of the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Its roots lie in the Bach Society, which existed from 1850–1900 and published the composer's complete works in printed music for the first time. A worldwide circle of Bach enthusiasts emerged who wanted to publicise his music:
Since 1901, the Bach Festival of the Neue Bachgesellschaft has been held almost every year, now for the 99th time, to take the universally popular composer beyond his original venues.
Das erste Bachmuseum: Bachhaus Eisenach
In 1907, the Neue Bachgesellschaft opened the Bachhaus Eisenach as the first Bach museum. It was given the task of "collecting and preserving everything relating to Johann Sebastian Bach and his life's work". Today, over 250 original exhibits relating to his life and music are on display across 600 square metres – with an hourly concert on historical instruments.
The BACH-JAHRBUCH has been the most important publication of the Neue Bachgesellschaft since 1904 and is the oldest scholarly periodical dedicated to a single musician. It is regarded as the most prestigious publication in international Bach research and every year offers contributions by renowned scholars on newly discovered and newly evaluated aspects of the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach and other members of his family.
The Neue Bachgesellschaft with its 3,000 members also develops OTHER PROJECTS: It organises Bach academies in Eastern Europe, where young musicians can familiarise themselves with his work, it promotes young musicians with its foundation and initiates projects for children and young people. It offers Bach enthusiasts the opportunity to exchange ideas and network. It is a point of contact for anyone who is interested in Bach's music: as a musician, a researcher, a concert-goer, a Bach lover.
