The Cantores Minores Boys' Choir organized the first Helsinki Bach Week in 1965 on the initiative of the choir's conductor
Prof. Heinz Hofmann. He used the traditional Leipzig Bach Festival as a model. Professor Hofmann wanted to emphasize the importance of Bach's music as a force for the growth and development of the boys' choir. The first two festivals were called Bach Days, but the third festival was renamed Bach Week due to the expanded concert offering.
Among many soloists, the following performers have since been invited to the Helsinki Bach Weeks:
The Weimar Music Academy Orchestra, Collegium Instrumentale Halle, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Rottweiler Münstersängerknaben, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, Finnish Baroque Orchestra
The festival's partners are the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Swedish Cultural Foundation, the City of Helsinki, the Helsinki Parish Federation, the Helsinki Cathedral Parish, Innofactor, VEHO, Helsingin Sanomat and SEB.
Welcome to the XIII Helsinki BACH Week between 24th and 31th Oct 2025!
Prof. Heinz Hofmann. He used the traditional Leipzig Bach Festival as a model. Professor Hofmann wanted to emphasize the importance of Bach's music as a force for the growth and development of the boys' choir. The first two festivals were called Bach Days, but the third festival was renamed Bach Week due to the expanded concert offering.
Among many soloists, the following performers have since been invited to the Helsinki Bach Weeks:
The Weimar Music Academy Orchestra, Collegium Instrumentale Halle, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Rottweiler Münstersängerknaben, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, Finnish Baroque Orchestra
The festival's partners are the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Swedish Cultural Foundation, the City of Helsinki, the Helsinki Parish Federation, the Helsinki Cathedral Parish, Innofactor, VEHO, Helsingin Sanomat and SEB.
Welcome to the XIII Helsinki BACH Week between 24th and 31th Oct 2025!
XIII HELSINki BACH Week 24th - 31st OCT 2025
In the XIII Helsinki Bach Week there will be many renowned finnish artists like the Finnish Baroque Orchestra, opera singers Hedvig Paulig, Emma Kajander, Ruut Mattila, Erica Back, Niilo Erkkilä, Jussi Myllys, Veikko Vallinoja and Tuomas Pursio, Bach Collegium Helsinki and organist Anu Pulkkinen. In the program there are Bach Cantatas and Concertos, Organ music and the masterpiece Mass in b minor. Artistic Director: Prof. Hannu Norjanen
Concerts
Opening Concert: Bach and Cantatas
Fri 24th Oct 2025 8 PM Helsinki Cathedral
Cantatas 131 'Aus der Tiefen rufe ich' and 147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben'
Cantores Minores
Hedvig Paulig, Soprano, Ruut Mattila, Alto, Niilo Erkkilä, Tenor, Veikko Vallinoja, Bass
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Conductor Prof. Hannu Norjanen
Tickets: 35/25 e (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
(NOTE! The works will be performed from the organ loft)
Cantatas 131 'Aus der Tiefen rufe ich' and 147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben'
Cantores Minores
Hedvig Paulig, Soprano, Ruut Mattila, Alto, Niilo Erkkilä, Tenor, Veikko Vallinoja, Bass
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Conductor Prof. Hannu Norjanen
Tickets: 35/25 e (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
(NOTE! The works will be performed from the organ loft)
Bach and Organ
Sat 25th Oct 2025 8 PM Helsinki Cathedral
Music by Bach and those inspired by his works
Anu Pulkkinen, Organ
Tickets: 15/10 € (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
Music by Bach and those inspired by his works
Anu Pulkkinen, Organ
Tickets: 15/10 € (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
Bach and Vocal Music
Mon 27th Oct 2025 7 PM Old Church, Helsinki
J.S. Bach: Alto Solocantata 'Vergnügte Ruh' (BWV 170)
J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet 'Der Gerechte kömmt um' (BWV deest)
J.S. Bach: Cantata 'Ich elender Mensch' (BWV 48)
J.S. Bach: Motet 'Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn' (BWV 159)
Bach Collegium Helsinki
Tickets 35/25 € (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
J.S. Bach: Alto Solocantata 'Vergnügte Ruh' (BWV 170)
J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet 'Der Gerechte kömmt um' (BWV deest)
J.S. Bach: Cantata 'Ich elender Mensch' (BWV 48)
J.S. Bach: Motet 'Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn' (BWV 159)
Bach Collegium Helsinki
Tickets 35/25 € (unnumbered seats)
from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door
Bach's Music Gospel?
Wed 29th Oct 2025 7 PM Angelicum-Hall, Studium Catholicum
Ritarikatu 3b A 4, 00170 Helsinki
A small-scale performance and discussion event. The topic is Albert Schweitzer's understanding of J.S. Bach's music: "All of J.S. Bach's music has a deep intention."
The program includes parts of solo violin and solo cello sonatas and partitas, performed by violinist Seppo Reinikainen and cellist Tapani Heikinheimo. Jouni Turtiainen will be responsible for the introduction and speech. The audience will have the opportunity to participate in the reflection on the theme.
FREE ENTRANCE
Ritarikatu 3b A 4, 00170 Helsinki
A small-scale performance and discussion event. The topic is Albert Schweitzer's understanding of J.S. Bach's music: "All of J.S. Bach's music has a deep intention."
The program includes parts of solo violin and solo cello sonatas and partitas, performed by violinist Seppo Reinikainen and cellist Tapani Heikinheimo. Jouni Turtiainen will be responsible for the introduction and speech. The audience will have the opportunity to participate in the reflection on the theme.
FREE ENTRANCE
J.S. Bach: Mass in b minor
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Fri 31st Oct 2025 7 PM Helsinki Cathedral
Sun 2nd Oct 2025 4 PM Tammisaari Church (Visiting Concert) Cantores Minores Emma Kajander, Soprano, Erica Back, Alto, Jussi Myllys, Tenor, Tuomas Pursio, Bass Finnish Baroque Orchestra Conductor Prof. Hannu Norjanen Tickets: 75, 55/44, 35/25, 10 e (numbered seats) / 2.11.: 44/25 € unnumbered seats) from Ticketmaster and 45 min. before from the door |
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