From the moment you book tickets for Breaking Bach, a new collaboration between the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and choreographer Kim Brandstrup, you sense that this will be no ordinary concert. Instead of the usual stalls, the seating chart simply reads “beanbags.” On the day, the surprise is confirmed: the Usher Hall’s traditional rows of seats have been replaced by a floor scattered with colourful beanbags for its beanbag concert series. Audience members are free to sit wherever they like, in whatever way feels comfortable. The informality instantly lifts the weight that the name Johann Sebastian Bach and the phrase “classical music” often carry. It’s also striking to see so many children in this historic auditorium. That feels like exactly what the artists are aiming for: finding a new way to bring the classics to a new generation of audiences.

The stage itself is transformed with a mirrored floor and back wall, reflecting both light and movement. Above it, the orchestra is arranged on a raised platform, dressed not in the usual formal black or white ties, but in soft greys and beiges. This understated elegance sets the mood as they begin with the Overture from Bach’s “Orchestral Suite No. 3.” Meanwhile, the dancers gather quietly on benches at the side, listening and watching. Gradually, the movement starts. Bringing the passion and vitality of breakdance, Brandstrup’s choreography mirrors the pulse and texture of Bach’s score in perfect harmony.

Brandstrup’s vision brings together professional dancers and students from Acland Burghley School in London, also home to the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. What stands out is the ensemble’s spirit of collaboration: musicians and dancers work with equal respect for each other’s art, creating a collective energy that breathes fresh life into centuries-old music. No one seeks to outshine the other; instead, they celebrate each form’s artistic power. The result is a moving and unforgettable evening, full of skill, devotion, and joy.