The sound of music is as alluring as ever in the Cultural Heart of Germany with 2014 yet again showcasing the unique musical heritage visitors can enjoy in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. From Bach to Strauss via Handel, take a look at all things concerts, festivals and musical events.

Happy birthday, we say

2014 marks the 300th anniversary of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian's second eldest son who was born in Weimar and in his lifetime actually more famous than his father. This year's Thuringian Bach Weeks (12 April to 4 May) with over 70 converts in authentic venues throughout the region will focus on his work set in the context of his father's compositions. 2014 also sees the 150th anniversary of Richard Strauss who is closely related to the Cultural Heart of Germany: Dresden's Semperoper saw the premieres of nine of his operas and is duly commemorating the master's birthday in style. From 6 to 23 November the “Richard Strauss Days”, a series of cycles including his operas, recitals of this famous Lieder and ballet performances, will pay homage to the great Romantic composer. Earlier in the year (7, 9 & 10 June), the semi-staged open-air production of “Feuersnot”, which premiered in Dresden in 1901 and established the city's Strauss tradition, promises to be another highlight. The audience will be able to enjoy the Dresden Festival Orchestra's authentic interpretation of this rarely performed work against the stunning backdrop of Dresden Castle.

Staatskapelle Dresden, considered to be the ultimate Strauss orchestra, will congratulate the composer on the day of his birthday (11 June) with a special concert featuring the highlights of all of his operas that premiered in Dresden. In nearby Leipzig, “Die Frau ohne Schatten“ will premiere on 14 June at Leipzig Opera. Furthermore “Elektra“ and “Der Rosenkavalier“ from Leipzig Opera's repertoire will be resumed. The Strauss bonanza continues in Weimar where the Deutsches Nationaltheater is putting on a number of performances throughout 2014 such as a birthday concert on 7 June featuring, among others, the iconic “Thus spoke Zarathustra”.

Welcome back, Handel Festival

Crowd-pleaser Handel Festival in Halle (Saale) sees a welcome return this summer after last year's event had to be cancelled due to flooding. From 5 to 15 June, internationally acclaimed stars and ensembles will perform in authentic venues in George Frideric Handel's city of birth. The festival programme, headlined “George & George”, will focus on the 300th anniversary of the coronation of George I of England who employed Handel as his Kapellmeister when he was Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg and before being called to the British throne in 1714. Highlights include a musical reconstruction of George I's coronation celebrations, a piece of funeral music written on his death and never performed before and a concert of Handel's “Coronation Anthems” performed on the occasion of the coronation of George II, including “Zadok the Priest” which some might nowadays know better as the theme song of the UEFA Champions League.

Yet more music

Last but not least, a couple of favourites: From 23 May to 10 June, Dresden Music Festival will this year bring the “Golden Twenties” back to life and put a special spin on this theme, featuring music from the 1620s, 1720s, 1820s and the 1920s. Later this summer, the line-up of concerts and events in Weimar which each year in July and August provides an ideal backdrop for a series of summer concerts and events, will include a touch of the Proms with the “Rule, Britannia!” open-air concert on 12 July featuring the State Orchestra Weimar performing works by British composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar.

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Travel information:

Easy access to the regions of the Cultural Heart of Germany with Cityjet from London City to Dresden and Germania from London Gatwick to Erfurt-Weimar

Thuringia: Online accommodation booking

Further information:

Cultural Heart of Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia) online: www.culturalheart.info

Facebook:www.facebook.com/CulturalHeartofGermany

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CulturalGermany

Press contact:

B Connects. Barbara Geier Content Services

On behalf of Cultural Heart of Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia)

barbara@bconnects.net, phone 07983 242 195