Already in his lifetime, Johann Sebastian Bach was regarded as an exceptional artist by his contemporaries. The enthusiasm for his music was immense during his lifetime and remains unbroken to this day. But how did his descendants receive his music? And what does it have to say to us today?

In his lecture, Professor Dr. Matthias Schneider, an organist and music researcher, first examines various projects that have appropriated Bach’s music in recent history. He illustrates what the generations following Bach made of his music and how they were inspired by it.

Following this, he addresses the question of how we can engage with his music today and how it continues to inspire composers, performers, listeners, and festival-goers alike. He encourages us—faithful to the festival’s motto—not only to continually rediscover Bach but also to engage with him artistically: Bach & now!