Bach Week 2026 - a new sound
Listen to forgotten voices. During Bach Week 2026, the Luther Museum celebrates female composers who remained invisible for too long. Under the motto A New Sound, from Monday, June 8 to Sunday, June 14, music by Bach and by women who enrich his musical world will be heard – from the Baroque to the present day.
Bach Week 2026 at the Luther Museum - A New Sound
From June 8 to 14, 2026, the Luther Museum Amsterdam will be entirely dedicated to Bach Week 2026 , the third edition of the biennial music festival centered on Johann Sebastian Bach. Under the title *A New Sound* , this edition pays a powerful tribute to forgotten female composers who are in dialogue with Bach's oeuvre. Throughout the week, music will resound that moves, connects, and surprises.
Let forgotten voices be heard: female composers in the spotlight!
Artistic director Diet Tilanus explicitly places this Bach Week in a broader musical and societal perspective:
Bach’s music is timeless, but the story of classical music is incomplete. Women composed, then and now, but were overshadowed for generations. This Bach Week, we are giving their music the space and the stage it deserves.
A Bach week full of highlights:
The program is a journey of discovery from Barbara Strozzi, via the music of Bach and various female composers, to music of today!
One of the highlights is the concert 'Buiten Bach om' on Saturday, June 13, featuring Schubert's sublime Octet, performed by international soloists and top musicians from around the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Especially for this concert , Anne-Maartje Lemereis , Composer of the Netherlands, is writing a new work that connects Bach and Schubert.
Which female composers will be performing at this festival, then?
Many different female composers, from before Bach's time to the present day! Here are a number of (well-known and perhaps lesser-known) names: Anne Maartje Lemereis , Clara Schumann, Barbara Strozzi, Rebecca Clarke, Hildigunnur Rúnarsdóttir, and Grażyna Bacewicz !
With this, we traverse the 17th, 19th, 20th, and even the 21st centuries with various female composers! These composers enrich the musical world, and we would love to share that!
A festival for and with the neighborhood
Bach Week is accessible, multifaceted, and deeply rooted in the museum's surroundings. The Luther Museum opens its doors to the Plantage neighborhood for top quality, young talent, and special musical encounters.
Bach Week 2026 Program Schedule:
The Bach Week is accessible and of a high standard, and explicitly focuses on the Plantagebuurt and all Amsterdammers as well. The program includes:
Monday, June 8, 8:00 PM · Bach for Believers : Bach for the spiritual person. Rev. Joost Röselaers speaks about the comfort of Bach. With music by Trio Ljøsa.
Wednesday, June 10, 8:00 PM · From Barbara Strozzi via Bach to Rebecca Clarke : Guja Sandholt (mezzo-soprano) sings songs by various female composers flanked by the great Bach.
Thursday, June 11, 8:00 PM · Back to Bach: Young Talent : The Netherlands Youth String Orchestra performs the Brandenburg Concerto, among others, together with the Klif Quartet.
Friday, June 12, 8:00 PM · Bach and Baroque 'One Man Show ' : The unique 'One Man Show' by Linde Schinkel, who explores masculinity with humor and Baroque singing: “Pimp Your Action, Man!”
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 PM · Beyond Bach : The Bach Week at a high level, with the Schubert Octet and a new composition by the Composer of the Netherlands: Anne-Maartje Lemereis.
Sunday, June 14, 12:00 PM · Bach for the Kids : The finale of Bach Week is for the whole family! Featuring the interactive children's concert performance 'Be Bach!' by Ton Meijer.
Where can I buy tickets for Bach Week 2026?
Via this link you can order your tickets or a pass giving you access to all concerts (except the family performance). Order your tickets here!
In any case, block out your calendar for the week of June 8 to 14, 2026!
Can I watch the Men's World Cup during Bach Week?
Of course, you can watch the Men's World Cup. No concerts coincide with a Dutch men's national team match. The first match for the Netherlands is on Sunday evening, June 14, starting at 10 PM. So there is plenty of time to go to the Bach Week!
Who is performing during Bach Week?
These are the artists and speakers during Bach Week:
Artistic director and violinist Diet Tilanus (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Pastor Joost Röselaers as speaker (Monday)
Trio Ljøsa, consisting of: violinist Diet Tilanus, mezzo-soprano Guja Sandholt and pianist Heleen Vegter (Monday, Wednesday)
The Netherlands Youth String Orchestra (Thursday)
The Cliff Quartet, consisting of: violinists Diet Tilanus and Svenja Staats, violist Liselot Blomaard, cellist Örs Kőszeghy (Thursday)
Double bass Jordi Carrasco Hjelm (Thursday)
VOX Music Theatre with Linde Schinkel and Martine van Ditzhuyzen (Friday)
Guitarist David Mackor (Friday)
The Fantasy Ensemble, consisting of: violinists Diet Tilanus and Svenja Staats, violist Lili Maijala, cellist Örs Kőszeghy, double bassist Jordi Carrasco Hjelm, clarinetist Olivier Patey, bassoonist Andrea Cellacchi and hornist Fons Verspaandonk (Saturday)
Theatre maker and actor Ton Meijer (Sunday)
Soprano Marije van Stralen (Sunday)
Violinist Marieke de Bruin (Sunday)
Cellist Jost Teeken (Sunday)
Harpsichordist Christina Edelen (Sunday)
You can find more information about the performers on the pages for each program.
Which female composers will be performed during Bach Week?
The program is a journey of discovery through the music of Bach, from the Baroque to the present day. Featuring works by, among others, the 17th-century giant Barbara Strozzi , the 19th-century Clara Schumann , the early 20th-century Rebecca Clarke , and the contemporary Hildigunnur Rúnarsdóttir . All female composers who deserve to be heard!
Bach Week at the Museum: Music, culture, and live concerts!
During this Bach Week, you have everything under one roof: music, art, a great atmosphere, and the very highest quality. Discover music you have never heard before at a magnificent and monumental location! Grand concerts in an intimate setting!
