Weiwuying Announces 5th Annual 24-Hour Music Marathon
Weiwuying Announces Fifth Annual 24-Hour Music Marathon: A Bacha-nalian Extravaganza in Mar 2026
Photo credit: Weiwuying
National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) is set to host the fifth edition of its highly anticipated 24–Hours Series, with the 2026 annual music marathon dedicated to the Baroque master Johann Sebastian BACH, widely regarded as the “Father of Music.” Following the resounding success of the SCHUBERT, MOZART, BEETHOVEN, and TCHAIKOVSKY editions since 2022, the 24-hour BACH series promise an unprecedented, non-stop celebration of his timeless genius. The event is scheduled to commence at 5pm on 14 Mar 2026 and will continue uninterrupted for a full 24 hours.
Photo credit: Weiwuying
The marathon will guide audiences through the vast landscape of BACH’s repertoire, beginning with traditional interpretations and moving into highly inventive cross-genre arrangements. The journey starts with pieces most celebrated during BACH’s lifetime, played on the Concert Hall’s pipe organ—Asia’s largest—before proceeding through early music, chamber music, and solo performances. As the night deepens, the programme will transition into ingenious contemporary reworkings, featuring jazz ensembles, a saxophone ensemble, traditional Chinese instruments, and cutting-edge electronic arrangements, transforming the entire center into a continuous musical BACHanalia.
Key performances are set across the Concert Hall and Recital Hall. The Concert Hall lineup includes the Gleam Ensemble recreating authentic Baroque sounds, the Counterpoint Ensemble performing popular concertos, and solos by cellist Mon-Puo LEE and violinist William WEI. Night owls can look forward to the relaxing Midnight Jazz session. The second day features the Reimagining New Classics section, where a saxophone ensemble will offer a non-Baroque spin on BACH’s work, complemented by the informative BACH Talk lecture. Meanwhile, the Recital Hall festivities begin with an ensemble performing Brandenburg Concertos No. 4 and 5, followed by the Southern Taiwan Chamber Music Society engaging the audience in intimate late-night sonata dialogues. Early morning features pianist LU Yi-chih with moving solo performances from The Well-Tempered Clavier. The Reimagining New Classics continues here with bold interpretations by the NanaFormosa Percussion Duo, the 3PEOPLEMUSIC ensemble utilizing the guzheng, zhongruan, and bamboo flutes, and the local electronic music group SynFlowny, showcasing how BACH’s compositions can be radically re-envisioned.
Photo credit: Weiwuying
Beyond the main halls, the public spaces will enhance the immersion. The third-floor lobby of the Concert Hall will host a continual screening of performances from the Netherlands Bach Society, titled All of Bach, offering diverse perspectives on his work. Furthermore, the Public Piano in the Banyan Plaza will be equipped with Bach sheet music, inviting music lovers of all skill levels to try their hand at performing his masterpieces, ensuring the celebration resonates throughout the entire cultural centre.
For more information please refer to Weiwuying’s website: https://www.npac-weiwuying.org/programs/68e776664fe98700070061e2?lang=en