Festive music for a new duchy. Court and military music from Gotha marking the change of dynasty in 1826

The concert centres on works by Johann Heinrich Walch (1775–1855), “Hofkapellmeister” in Gotha and one of the defining figures of courtly military music in the early 19th century. Walch served first under Duke Friedrich IV of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and later under Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Gotha, and shaped the court’s musical ceremonial culture until 1845.

The concert brings to life a repertoire that has scarcely been heard before: marches, dances and festive music that straddle the worlds of courtly ceremony, military musical practice, festive entertainment and artistic ambition. Walch’s compositions are based on previously unpublished original sources. Furthermore, the programme offers further insight into the diversity of Thuringian court and entertainment music in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The event is thematically linked to the anniversary of the dynastic change of 1826 and the formation of the Dual Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. At this historic venue, a significant part of Gotha’s court culture is thus brought to life once more.

Admission is free, but donations towards the preservation of the Gotha Research Library’s collections are welcome.

Due to limited seating capacity, please register in writing by 30 October at veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.