Be honest: What came first—the idea of a nirvana or the music of Johann Sebastian Bach?

Lilli Paasikivi: Quite clearly Bach! Again and again, I feel this immediate, almost magical effect his music has on us. It is fascinating: Although his works are highly structured, almost mathematical, they touch something deep within. Bach’s music has this unique power to speak to our soul. Given that, we had the desire to create a space in which one can immerse oneself in this music with all senses. A place where what we hear becomes one with what we see.

To achieve this, you are bringing two extraordinary artists to Bregenz: the pianist Angela Hewitt and the lighting designer Mikki Kunttu.

Angela Hewitt is one of the world’s leading interpreters of Bach. That she immediately agreed to take part in this experiment was a stroke of luck. She even performs from memory, which—given the complexity of Bach—is pure magic. The Finnish lighting designer Mikki Kunttu is also a master of his craft. His range extends from Wagner’s Ring in Helsinki to major stadium concerts. Mikki’s works are unmistakably original—and thus an extension of music.

What awaits visitors in the vast, dark space of the Werkstattbühne?

We want to use the Werkstattbühne like a protective cosmos in which the boundaries of space begin to blur. In this floating atmosphere, one can, for a moment, leave time and reality entirely behind.

The title promises a “nirvana.” How can such a state be achieved together with the audience?

The core idea is a kind of collective meditation, an island of inner contemplation. The goal is to enter a clarifying state of reset and, together, surrender to the flow of the music, to immerse oneself in a dialogue of sound and light—and simply to be. To this end, we have developed a dramaturgy that directs perception entirely toward the present moment and unfolds without interruption. So that this experience can fully reveal its power, we ask our guests to refrain from applause at the beginning and between each piece.

Applause only at the end? That is unusual.

That is true, but it is essential for this special experience. The pieces flow seamlessly into one another. There are moments of silence that are just as important as the sound. We want people to enter, settle, and together be drawn into this current. Appreciation for the artists can be expressed at the end—in an even more heartfelt way!