The exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the essence of these historic festivals through 60 previously unseen photographs.
The images are part of the collection of over 900 negatives that François Serre recently donated to the Pau Casals Foundation. This donation helps to preserve the memory of one of the most significant musical events of post-war Europe, promoted by Pau Casals during his exile.
The Bach Festival began on June 2, 1950, to mark the 200th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s death, and over the years became an international meeting point for leading figures of classical music, such as Alexander Schneider, Isaac Stern, Joseph Szigeti, Paul Tortelier, Rudolf Serkin, Eugene Istomin, Clara Haskil, Mieczysław Horszowski, Yehudi Menuhin, Wilhelm Kempff, David and Igor Oistrakh, Sándor Végh, Julius Katchen, Christian Ferras, among many others. Until 1966, Casals took an active part, turning Prades into a place where music and friendship came together.
The exhibition mainly features photographs taken in the sacristy of Saint Peter’s Church, a space that served as the true heart of the festival and a gathering point for musicians, organizers, and journalists. “This seemingly discreet place became a nerve center with an intimate and profoundly human atmosphere,” explains François Serre. With his Leica cameras, Serre captured scenes of complicity and unique moments that can now be rediscovered.
