Bach at Saint‐Germain: Chapelle Saint Symphorien
Paris, Eglise Saint‐Germain‐des‐Prés — Chapelle Saint Symphorien
About the Event
In the sumptuous Chapelle Saint Symphorien of the Eglise Saint‐Germain des Près, immerse yourself in the emotional performance of some of the most beautiful masterpieces for strings and violin by Bach.
Program
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (arr. for strings)
Artists
| Orchestra: | Les Solistes Français An ensemble of French and French‐speaking string players drawn from Europe's most celebrated conservatoires, Les Solistes Français play regularly in Paris' most magnificent churches, including the Sainte‐Chapelle, Eglise Saint‐Germain‐des‐Prés, Eglise Saint‐Séverin and in venues around France and Europe, under the leadership of Paul Rouger. Combining exceptional talent and technique with a commitment to shared experience and camaraderie among their number, their concerts are known for a warm atmosphere full of feeling. The group's repertoire focuses primarily on the classical canon, but the ensemble is also known for its interpretations of new works, and its recordings on the harmonia mundi Loreley label have attracted great success. |
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| Soloist, Violin: | Paul Rouger The French violinist‐turned‐conductor is something of a musical polymath. Having entered professional studies at the tender age of 13, he enjoyed a successful solo and orchestral career, appearing with many prominent ensembles, before taking up the conductor's baton. A respected chamber musician, Rouger now leads the ensemble he founded — Les Solistes Français — a virtuosic ensemble that regularly plays in Paris' most exquisite historic venues as well as touring further afield. Rouger has also distinguished himself as an arranger. |
Johann Sebastian Bach
The name Bach and the word musician had long been synonyms in Germany as the world saw 56 musicians from this kin. But it was Johann Sebastian Bach, a genius composer and virtuoso organ player, who shed lustre on his family name. He was born on th 31st of March 1685 in Eisenach, a small town in Thuringia. At the age of 10 he became an orphan and was brought up by his elder brother Johann Christoph, who was an organist in a neighbouring town. His brother was the one to teach music to the young Johann Sebastian. Later he moved to Luneburg where he attended a church school and mastered the techniques of playing violin, viola, piano and organ by the age of 17. Besides that, Bach was a choir singer and later after his voice broke he became a chanter’s assistant. In 1703 Bach was hired as a court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst III. He earned such a good reputation there that he was later invited to Arnstadt to be an organist at the New Church, where he wrote his best organ works. In 1723 he moved to Leipzig to be a chantor at St. Thomas Church where he stayed until his death of a stroke in 1750. In the year of his death he had undergone unsuccessful eye surgery which lead him to lose his eyesight. During that strenuous time his second wife Anna Magdalena helped him to write his last musical pieces. Bach’s artistic legacy is vast. He created compositions in all genres of the time: oratorias, cantatas, masses, motets, music for organ, piano and violin.
Customer Reviews
4.8 of 5
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Doretta A, USA
Oct 2025
Excellent performance!
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Jennifer K, USA
Oct 2025
A truly beautiful concert in a beautiful setting. Was intimate and just wonderful. What a talent!
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pablo w, Argentine
Oct 2025
violinist superb
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Cathie H, USA
Oct 2025
Incredible musicians! Loved watching their fingers fly while drawing beautiful music out of the violin & guitar. Very good acoustics & lovely settings although the chairs could have been a bit more comfortable. I highly recommend these musicians & the venue which was small & intimate.
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Katja P, France
Oct 2025
Thank you for the most amazing concert! It was really worth attending!
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Grace K, USA
Oct 2025
The concert was very nice, beautiful planed, small cozy atmosphere.
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John S, United Kingdom
Sep 2025
Joué avec grande compétence et conviction
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Christophe d, France
Sep 2025
très belle prestatation de Bach à St Germain. Je regrette cependant qu'aucun programme, ne serait‐ce qu'une simple feuille A4 N&B, détaillant le programme ne soit distribué. Impossible de savoir combien de mouvements comportait chaque sonate. d'où des applaudissements à contre temps dans l'auditoire. Les musiciens ne se sont pas présentés, quel dommage.
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Alexandru S, Romania
Sep 2025
The violinist is top class! Thank you for the experience!
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Gail R, USA
Sep 2025
Beautiful venue — not in the main sanctuary but in the chapel off to the right, intimate, great acoustics, but very uncomfortable chairs. Only set up for about 50, you hear every squeak and movement in the audience; must be distracting for the solo musician! But the music was outstanding — we only stayed through the first piece (half hour) due to discomfort and warm temp in the chapel. Beautiful experience though!
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Julie L, USA
Sep 2025
Disappointed in the misrepresented venue. The picture shows St. Germaine du Pres church but the venue is actually a chapel that is quite austere and spare. Truly disappointed. Left early with my 3 guests.
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Damaris T, Mexico
Sep 2025
Beautiful performance, though, the program was not Bach as promised
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Michael M, France
Sep 2025
Super concert avec des artistes magnifiques, le lieu également est magique ! Merci à Sébastien ( etymocurieux) qui m’a permis de découvrir cet événement et de retrouver un ami d’enfance David BRACCINI violoniste à l’orchestre de Paris. Tous ces artistes nous ont permis de re‐decrouvrir Bach avec ces 4 instruments qui jouent sur les aiguës et les graves
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David M, USA
Sep 2025
First thing that strikes you is the intimacy of the venue, which by the way is very well located for dinner beforehand. The music selection was wonderful and the soloist was so talented. The combination of the two, along with the incredible acoustics of the abbey make this something you'll never forget!
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Doris B, USA
Sep 2025
performance 5, but seats very uncomfortable for those of us with back issues!
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Josie G, France
Sep 2025
Thank you: it was beautiful
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Yeon Kyoung A, France
Sep 2025
The church is so well placed, easy to find. Even though it's a small church, the sound in it is wonderful. I loved the solo violin and the violinist was so excellent.
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Gregory M, USA
Sep 2025
Would have been nice to be in main church.
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Barry O, Ireland
Aug 2025
An excellent performance, very lively and humourful, including the words about how the Variations came to be written for a Count who suffered from insomnia. The performance was certainly the opposite of soporific! Terrific! The setting was very enjoyable too. Please continue these performances!
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Jose Antonio M, USA
Aug 2025
Wonderful evening of music in an intimate venue. The acoustics at Chapelle Saint Symphorien were surprisingly really good.
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Victoria S, France
Jul 2025
Un musicien exceptionnel sur une musique intemporelle. Merci pour cette expérience transcendante.
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Stephanie G, Australia
Jul 2025
Brilliant
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Myriam N, France
Jul 2025
Cela m à beaucoup plu, très doux et bien joué.
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John R, USA
Jun 2025
Awash in the sonorous magic of J.S. Bach's solo violin works in this fabulous and lovingly maintained church was a highlight of our visit to Paris.
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Maria Teresa P, USA
Apr 2025
Beautiful music a wonderful experience!
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Jane B, United Kingdom
Mar 2025
Amazing musicianship and stunning venue.
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Jenice M, USA
Mar 2025
Excellent impressive performance
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Dan L, USA
Feb 2025
excellent violinist with special focus on Bach‐ all from memory
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Gary D, USA
Nov 2024
Nice in parts, but too long without a break (hint: these churches often have chairs that would make saints long for a quick death)
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Loic D, France
Oct 2024
Wonderful place and music.
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Peter G, Etats‐Unis
Jan 2024
C’était parfait
Address
Eglise Saint‐Germain‐des‐Prés, 3, place Saint‐Germain‐des‐Prés, Paris, France — Google Maps
