​International ​Bachfest Malaysia 2025

Celebrating 10 years of connecting people through quality music
​Bachfest Malaysia commemorates its 10th anniversary in 2025 with Asia's first international Bach festival, hosted in Kuala Lumpur—a city rich in multicultural heritage, iconic architecture, and diverse cuisines.

The festival opens with a special forum exploring the theme “Bach in Asia,” featuring Prof. Dr. Tseng Shao Kai (philosopher, China), Prof. Dr. Michael Maul (Bachfest Leipzig Artistic Director), and Prof. Dr. David Chin (Bachfest Malaysia Artistic Director). This is followed by Bach’s iconic instrumental masterpieces with unaccompanied violin works performed by Bernice Ooi, Concertmaster of the Malaysia Bach Festival Orchestra, followed by a performance of the Goldberg Variations by renowned Malaysian pianist Ng Chong Lim.
Highlights include the Southeast Asia Bach Competition Final Round Concert, where regional young musicians perform unaccompanied solo works, and vocal repertoire with the Malaysia Bach Festival Orchestra under Malaysian-German conductor Harish Shankar. Austrian tenor Daniel Johannsen will join the Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra for two performances of their award-winning performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Prof. Dr. Maul will also deliver pre-concert lectures and curate a Bach manuscript exhibition. The festival concludes with a jazz reinterpretation of Bach’s works by Tay Cher Siang and the WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble.

We warmly invite friends from across Malaysia and around the globe to join us in celebrating Bach’s timeless legacy, enriching cultural life through the power of extraordinary music.

Highlights of the Festival​

Tickets and festival passes are available starting on March 21, 2025.
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​Wednesday / July 23​
19:30 / BACH in Asia

This is an engaging forum exploring the significance of Bach in Asia, led by esteemed philosopher Prof. Dr. Tseng Shao Kai from Zhejiang University, China, Prof. Dr. Michael Maul, Artistic Director of Bachfest Leipzig, and Prof. Dr. David Chin, Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia.

20:30 / 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner

​Join us to celebrate this milestone of Bachfest Malaysia with a wonderful meal, sharing memories of our remarkable journey and the friendships that have shaped this decade of musical excellence.

Thursday / July 24
​BACH Virtuosi - Solo Recitals
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​19:30 / Unaccompanied Violin

Violin Partita no. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
Violin Partita No.3 in E major, BWV 1006
Bernice Ooi, Solo Violin
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20:45 / Iconic Monument

A masterful set of 30 variations based on a simple aria. It showcases remarkable ingenuity, blending technical brilliance with deep emotional expression. This timeless work remains a pinnacle of keyboard repertoire and musical artistry.

​Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Ng Chong Lim, Piano Solo

Friday / July 25

19:30 / Rising Stars
​Southeast Asia BACH Competition Final Round Concert

Partner: Bach-Archiv & Bachfest Leipzig

​Be part of history at the inaugural Southeast Asia Bach Competition, where exceptional finalists will bring Bach’s most iconic works to life. Watch as they compete for the ultimate prize: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Bachfest Leipzig 2026. Don’t miss this thrilling showcase of talent, artistry, and passion!

Competition Jury:
Prof. Dr. Michael Maul (Chair)
Prof. Dr. David Chin
Ng Chong Lim
Daniel Johannsen
Harish Shankar

Malaysia Bach Festival Orchestra
Harish Shankar, Guest Conductor

Saturday, July 26
19:30 / ​BACH Masterpiece
St. Matthew Passion

Experience the Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra in their award-winning performance of Bach’s monumental masterpiece, the St. Matthew Passion. This largest and most profound work ever written by Bach weaves together dramatic storytelling, emotional depth, and exquisite music. Led by Artistic Director David Chin, this unforgettable performance promises to bring Bach’s timeless masterpiece to life with passion, precision, and artistry. Don’t miss this extraordinary musical journey.

St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244
Daniel Johannsen, Tenor as Evangelist
Caleb Woo, Baritone as Jesus
Mak Chi Hoe, Bass as Pilate 
Malaysia Bach Festival Singers & Orchestra
David Chin, Conductor

Sunday, July 27
20:00 / J-azz BACH

​Prominent Malaysian jazz artist, known for his appearance in Crazy Rich Asians, will lead his group WVC in a program featuring unique arrangements of Bach. The festival will conclude with this performance, accompanied by an open bar for a memorable closing celebration.
© BACHFEST MALAYSIA 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.