Luther – Music - Bach

In 2012 we are celebrating “Reformation and Music” – a tribute to Martin Luther’s reformation that started in 1517. On music Luther wrote: “In summa, next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, heart, and spirits…”

Luther himself wrote text and music for many popular hymns to enhance the reading of the gospel and contributed extensively to the disputations at his time. For Johann Sebastian Bach, some 200 years later, theological and musical scholarships were two sides of the same coin: the search for divine revelation, or the quest for God. Many works of J.S. Bach symbolize a Trinitarian music combining word, sound and picture – truly timeless!

Bach@Trinity 2012

Throughout 2012 the Australian Bach Society, an initiative of the German Church East Melbourne, will be presenting an International Bachfest with music, movies, chats, lectures and much more around J.S. Bach. Most concerts and recitals will include young and talented musicians, ensembles and choirs from Melbourne – the finest in their respective fields. Furthermore, we will be welcoming overseas visitors to perform organ works. A whole series of special events will take place in August with world-renowned Bach-tenor Martin Petzold from Leipzig, who will follow in the footsteps of the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir who visited Australia in 2009.

This year, Leipzig is celebrating ‘800 Years Thomana’ – marking the anniversary of 800 years St. Thomas Church, St. Thomas Boys Choir and St. Thomas School with many exciting highlights, some of them we will bring to you in Melbourne. Welcome!