“Helmuth Rilling is deeply rooted in the Protestant culture of Württemburg, which shows in many aspects of his work,” said Minister-President Kretschmann. Born1933 in Stuttgart, through his early education at the Protestant theological seminaries in Schöntal and Urach, as well as his music studies, he was exposed at an early age to Bach and theology. In 1954 he founded the now world famous „Gächinger Kantorei“, and was appointed Kantor der Gedächtniskirche in Stuttgart in 1957, and maintained this position, despite his many other obligations and international success until 1998. With Swabian efficiency and energy he dedicated his life to Bach’s music. Like no other, Helmuth Rilling strove through his Bach interpretation to make the work of church music equal with high artistic standards, and to use music to help spread the theological message of the Word of God. “With this vision for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach he was truly a pioneer,” stressed the Minister President.
Communication with people of all countries has also been a central facet of the work of Helmuth Rilling. in 1976 the was invited to Israel, where with the Gächinger Kantorei he became the first German to conduct the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, starting a friendship between the ensembles that has lasted over thirty years.
His work became institutionalized in 1981 with the founding of the International Bach Academy, a research and educational institute, in addition to its concert programs. It combines the work for traditional sacred music with an openness to new music, which is evidenced in the numerous commissions from contemporary composers. In addition to this, work with young people in world-wide Bach workshops are a central ingredient of the institute. “Mr Rilling is not only a great musician, he is also a great teacher. People from all over the world owe their insights in Bach’s music to his pedagogical work,” said the Minister President.
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