“Bach in Asia” Opening Ceremony and Forum / Lectures Series

Opening Ceremony and Forum

Bach in Asia

Wednesday, July 23 | 7:00 P.M.

Host:
Prof. Dr. Michael Maul, Musicologist & Artistic Director of Bachfest Leipzig, Germany

Panel:
Prof. Dr. Alex Tseng, Professor of Philosophy, ZheJiang University, China
Prof. Dr. David Chin, Founder & Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia
Noemi Binag, Executive Director of the Bamboo Organ Festival, Philippines

The inaugural International Bachfest Malaysia begins with a thought-provoking forum on a vital topic: Bach in Asia. Why host a Bach festival in Asia? What makes Bach’s music relevant to both Asian musicians and everyday listeners? How do Asian communities shape the global future of Bach’s music? Join us as we explore these questions and more.

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Lecture Series 1

BACH: Light to the World

Friday, July 25 ｜3:00 P.M.

Speaker: 
Prof. Dr. Alex Tseng
Professor of Philosophy, ZheJiang University, China 

Though deeply rooted in the sacred and artistic traditions of 18th-century Germany, Bach’s compositions speak to something profoundly human—an expression of order, beauty, and faith that resonates across centuries and continents. It is no surprise, then, that in our globalized world, Bach continues to captivate listeners far beyond Europe. Statistics even show that his music enjoys greater popularity in China than that of contemporary icons like Jay Chou. Why? In this lecture, we explore how Bach’s works embody this universality and why, more than 250 years after his death, he remains a guiding light for the world.

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Lecture Series 2

Christ's Passion According to Matthew

Saturday, July 26 | 4:00 P.M.
*Remark: This programme is open to non-muslims only.

Speaker:
Rev. Bishop Thomas Low
The Lutheran Church in Malaysia

Join us for "Christ’s Passion According to Matthew," a deep exploration of the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ suffering, death, and sacrifice. As the theological foundation of J.S. Bach’s monumental St. Matthew Passion, this text shapes one of the most profound musical retellings of Christ’s final days. Through Matthew’s lens, we will uncover the spiritual depth, prophetic fulfillment, and emotional intensity that inspired Bach’s masterpiece. Whether you are a musician, theologian, or seeker, this talk invites you to experience the Passion story with fresh insight and renewed faith. Come and journey through Matthew’s Gospel in word and music.

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Lecture Series 3

Hearing Bach's Passion

Sunday, July 27 | 1:00 P.M.

Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Michael Maul
Musicologist & Artistic Director of Bachfest Leipzig, Germany

How can we better listen to and appreciate Bach’s St. Matthew Passion? Join Prof. Dr. Michael Maul as he guides us through the musical language, structure, and expressive depth of this masterpiece. Discover how Bach weaves together chorales, dramatic turba choruses, intimate arias, and the Evangelist’s vivid narration to bring Matthew’s Passion account to life. Through historical insights and musical analysis, this talk will deepen your understanding of Bach’s storytelling, helping you experience the St. Matthew Passion with greater awareness, emotion, and spiritual insight. A must for musicians and listeners alike!

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MEET THE SPEAKERS

Prof. Dr. Michael Maul
Michael Maul is a renowned musicologist, Artistic Director of the Leipzig Bach Festival, and Senior Scholar at the Bach Archive Leipzig. He has authored award-winning monographs, numerous scholarly essays on 17th- and 18th-century music, and the acclaimed audio biography Universum Johann Sebastian Bach. His podcast, Die Bach-Kantate mit Maul und Schrammek, has been praised as "trend-setting" by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The Süddeutsche Zeitung describes it as a delightful and engaging approach to Bach’s life and music, sparking curiosity with every detail before leading to the music itself.

Prof. Dr. Alex Tseng
Alex Tseng is a Research Professor in the School of Philosophy at Zhejiang University and an adjunct faculty member at Columbia International University. Holding advanced degrees from Oxford, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Regent College, his scholarship spans modern German theology, Sino-Christian theology, Reformation thought, and philosophy of music. He has authored eleven books, including Trinity and Election (Bloomsbury, 2023), and contributes to major academic handbooks. A member of several theological societies, he also serves on editorial boards for leading journals such as Neue Zeitschrift für Systematische Theologie and Brill’s Journal of Chinese Theology.

Prof. Dr. David Chin
David Chin is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia and conductor of the award-winning Malaysia Bach Festival Singers & Orchestra. He has conducted all major works by J.S. Bach and led ensembles worldwide in diverse repertoire, from Renaissance music to world premieres. A Senior Fellow of Bach-Archiv Leipzig, he teaches at Augustana University, where he directs the Bach Collegium and Bach Cantata Series. He produced the documentary Encountering Bach and translated Michael Maul’s Bach: A Pictorial Biography into Chinese. Holding a Doctor of Musical Arts from Eastman, he remains an influential performer, educator, and scholar.

Rev. Bishop Thomas Low
Rev. Thomas Low is an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia (LCM) and an alumnus of Trinity College, Singapore. He grew up in Holy Light Lutheran Church, Salak Selatan, interned at Taman Midah Lutheran Church, and previously pastored Luther House Chapel, Petaling Jaya, before serving as pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church. Beyond his pastoral ministry, he is the Secretary of LCM, Chairman of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia’s (STM) Personnel Committee, and a council member on STM’s board, contributing actively to theological education and church leadership in Malaysia.

Noemi Binag
Noemi Binag is a conductor, educator, and church musician dedicated to the choral and orchestral arts. She is the Assistant Conductor of the UP Symphony Orchestra and Director of the UPSO Symphonic Chorus. She also teaches at Centro Escolar University and UP College of Music Extension Program. As Executive Director of the International Bamboo Organ Festival, she promotes the performance of early and Baroque music. She is a founding member of the Manila Baroque Ensemble and Collegium Vocale Manila. A graduate of Eastman School of Music and UP Diliman, she nurtures Philippine music through leadership, mentorship, and collaborations.

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