Photos: Johann Friedrich Bause / After Johann Sebastian Bach, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain August Geyler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Flocci Nivis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Johann Friedrich Bause / After Johann Sebastian Bach, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain August Geyler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Flocci Nivis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Bach's Leipzig: the Thomaskirche and its choir
Your local guide
Thomas Krause
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Highlights
- Bach's grave near the altar
- A choir loft centuries old
- 27 years of church music, explained
- The Thomanerchoir's long tradition
- Thomaskirche beyond the tourist photo
About this tour
This session looks at Thomaskirche through the lens of Bach's 27 years as its cantor, from his grave near the altar to the choir loft above. You see the nave where his church music was first performed, then the loft still used by the Thomanerchoir today. The route finishes outside the church, with a wider view of the building Bach worked in for most of his career.
We start with a short sound check inside, since the stone nave carries a strong echo. I keep a steady pace between the three stops and leave plenty of room for questions about Bach's music and life in the city. Afterwards I send a short note on the choir's history and a few pieces worth listening to.
This suits anyone interested in Bach or in choral music more generally, not only specialists. It also works well before a session at the Bach Museum next door.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 6 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Leipzig before heading out.
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Thomaskirche nave 17 min
The camera holds on the church nave, and I point out Bach's grave near the altar, moved here from its original site in the twentieth century.
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The choir loft 17 min
We look up toward the loft where the Thomanerchoir still performs, a boys' choir with a history stretching back centuries before Bach's own time there.
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Thomaskirche exterior 17 min
The route finishes outside, and I explain how Bach composed most of his surviving church music during his 27 years as cantor here.
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Your questions 11 min
Time to ask anything about Leipzig: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 5 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Gose (a sour, salted wheat beer brewed locally) and Südvorstadt, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Berlin time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Leipzig, showing you Thomaskirche nave and The choir loft live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Leipzig live with my phone.
Times shown in Berlin time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sun 25 Oct · 10 seats left From 28,00 €
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