The Echternach Music Festival is an international event which has been held in May and June every year since 1975 at Echternach in the east of Luxembourg. In addition to classical music, modern compositions are performed in the 18th century basilica of St Willibrord and in the church of St Peter and Paul. Since 2008, there has also been a jazz festival held in September and October. Over the years, renowned international artists poo as Yehudi Menuhin, Gidon Kremer, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Maurice André, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin or Jordi Savall have played alongside young talent from Luxembourg and abroad.[1] Musically speaking the Festival ranges from medieval and classic music to jazz and world music.[2]
Two Luxembourg music lovers, Georges Calteux and Jean Kraft were inspired to orgainize concerts in the Echternach Basilica after attending a concert in an abbatial church in Spain. Their dream was realized in 1975, attracting support from the pianist Cyprien Katsaris who became artistic director of the festival for over 30 years. From 1985, Adrien Meisch, a former Luxembourg ambassador, was the festival's enthusiastic chairman. In 2007, Georges Santer, Luxembourg's ambassador in Paris, was elected as chair while Meisch remained honorary president.[3]
In 2008, Alexander Mullenbach replaced Cyprien Katsaris as artistic director for the classical programme, while Gast Waltzing became artistic director for the jazz festival held in September and October.[4] The same year, a modern concert hall at the Trifolion, a new culture and conference center, was added to the venues.[2]
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