The 10-day Bach festival, held in his hometown of Leipzig, celebrates his classical masterpieces. The first festival in 1999 featured 30 concerts with 15,000 fans. Johann Sebastian Bach's 250th birthday anniversary in 2000 drew 70,000 fans, who attended 90 musical events. World-class artists perform in venues like St. Thomas Church, where Bach played the organ, the Goethe Theater, the Crystal Palace, St. Michael's Church and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Bachfest Leipzig
Postfach 101349
04013 Leipzig
Germany
011-49-341-9137-300
bach-leipzig.de
Each June for three days, the world of rock music invades the Nürburgring racetrack. Considered a German version of America's Woodstock, Rock am Ring is one of the largest rock festivals in the world. More than 150,000 fans watch 80 bands perform on three different stages. Rock's top headliners take the main stage, and the alternative rock stage is for indie-type groups. Newer groups perform on the smaller club stage. Campsites and shuttle buses are available, but advance reservations are required for camping. The festival began as a one-time concert in 1985, but its success made it into an annual festival.
ARGO-Konzerte GmbH
Friedrich Bergius Ring 26
D-97076 Wurzburg
Germany
011-49-931-2300-0
rock-am-ring.com
The Berlin Jazz Festival pays tribute each November to all types of jazz. Festival-goers can hear contemporary American, traditional and European jazz styles. Since 1964, the five-day event has featured major musicians, big bands and ensembles that play at city venues including clubs, hotels and concert halls. Deutschland Radio records all the concerts for sale to the public after the festival. Proceeds go to support future jazz festivals in Berlin and other German cities.
Berliner Festspiele
Schaperstrasse 24
10719 Berlin
Germany
011-49-30-254-89-0
berlinerfestspiele.de
Germany's largest classical music event is Beethovenfest, which began in Bonn in 1845 to celebrate Ludwig Van Beethoven's music. The festival lasts for 4-½ weeks beginning in late August. Annually, more than 100,000 people attend 60 concerts in 30 venues like churches, museums, government buildings, chamber music halls and film theaters. About 20,000 students participate in youth orchestras from 10 countries. Other festival events include films of Beethoven's life and discussions about his influence on current composers.
International Beethoven Festival
Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 3
D-53113 Bonn
Germany
011-0228-20-10-345
beethovenfest.de
