KL hosts Asia’s first International Bach Festival

Chin Jian Wei | 18 July 2025

BACHFEST Malaysia celebrates 10 years of sharing Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach’s music with Malaysian audiences by announcing the inaugural International Bachfest Malaysia 2025, themed “Bridging Bach.”

The festival will take place across five days, from July 23 to 27 at the historic Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and Quan’s Kitchen at Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur in Chinatown. Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy an exciting lineup of concerts, lectures and forums, all celebrating the enduring legacy of Bach’s music.

“Situated in the heart of Malaysia’s vibrant capital and surrounded by a rich tapestry of multicultural heritage, iconic landmarks and distinctive architecture, the venue offers an ideal setting for both artistic inspiration and cultural exploration,” says Prof. Dr David Chin, the founder, chief executive and artistic director of Bachfest Malaysia. “Originally built as a theater, the hall provides an acoustically and atmospherically fitting space for performances of Bach’s music. As the capital city of Malaysia – often considered the gateway to South-East Asia – Kuala Lumpur is a natural choice to host Asia’s first international Bach festival, reflecting both the region’s diversity and its growing significance on the global cultural map.”

Bachfest Malaysia was founded to present the major works of Bach, and has remained dedicated to its cause ever since. The Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra has toured extensively across East and West Malaysia and their performances have been met with critical acclaim, winning multiple BOH Cameronian Arts Awards.

The theme, “Bridging Bach”, was chosen to represent the festival’s goal of connecting people of all cultures and backgrounds through Bach’s music. The executive director of Bachfest Malaysia, John Wong says, “Bach’s music is melodically beautiful and many of his pieces are widely familiar – people often don’t realise they’re listening to his compositions. Moreover, the themes in Bach’s work revolve around universally shared human experiences, such as suffering, hope and redemption. People resonate with Bach’s music because they hear their own lives reflected in it and are prompted to reflect on their personal journeys.” It is the organisers’ hope that the festival will help to foster global unity.

In June 2024, Malaysia's Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra made history as the first ensemble from South-East Asia invited to perform at the prestigious Bachfest Leipzig 2024 in Germany.

Chin believes that classical music like Bach’s is timeless and defies even the erosion of time. He says, “It has endured through the centuries not by chance, but because of its profound depth and enduring relevance. Unlike entertainment, which often serves as an escape from reality, great art compels us to face it. Bach’s music invites us to confront ourselves, to reflect on our lives, and to consider the deeper distinction between the temporary and the eternal. At our core, I believe we are all searching for meaning – and Bach’s music has the rare power to speak to that longing in a deeply personal and transformative way.”

The South-East Asia Bach Competition stands out as a key initiative in this festival, serving as a platform for South-East Asian musicians to perform Bach’s music, shaped by their own interpretations. With the support of Bachfest Leipzig, an honorary patron, winners will have the opportunity to perform at Bachfest Leipzig 2026, marking a significant milestone for young musicians in the region.

Among the festival’s many performances, some highlights include Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, presented in two performances. This monumental work requires a large ensemble featuring double choirs, double orchestras and multiple soloists. Acclaimed Austrian tenor Daniel Johannsen will take on the role of the Evangelist, narrating the Passion story alongside the Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra.

Other than that, the festival will also showcase Bach’s Goldberg Variations, performed by renowned Malaysian pianist Ng Chong Lim in his first public interpretation of the piece. Additionally, Bernice Ooi, concertmaster of Bachfest Malaysia, will present two of Bach’s unaccompanied violin partitas. Emphasising the relationship between Bach and jazz, the festival includes “J-azz Bach” concerts led by Malaysian jazz artist Tay Cher Siang, alongside WVC Jazz Ensemble, offering an innovative reimagination of Bach’s music through a jazz lens.

Beyond performances, the festival includes a forum titled “Bach in Asia”, bringing together speakers from China, the Philippines and Malaysia. The discussion will explore Bach’s significance in an Asian context, examining his music’s lasting impact and continued relevance in contemporary society. A series of lectures will also provide deeper insights into Bach’s music, with speakers approaching his work from the perspectives of religion, philosophy and musicology. Among the keynote speakers is Prof Dr Alex Tseng, a philosophy professor from Zhejiang University, China.

Chin extends a warm invitation to all. “This kind of experience is incredibly rare in Malaysia: timeless, high-quality music brought to life by a large ensemble of exceptional homegrown and international artists,” he says. “To witness it live – to be fully present, surrounded by so many others, all focused on the same moment – is something truly special. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you, a memory to cherish whether you share it with someone or simply keep it for yourself. If you’re willing to slow down, to really listen and feel, it might just become a kind of spiritual retreat – something deeply meaningful in the midst of everyday life.”

To see the full list of programmes and performances, please visit Bachfest Malaysia’s official website, and buy tickets at CloudJoi.

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