Organ Festival in Germany!
Three organ concerts in Germany with no fewer than four organists!
The organ, the king among instruments. A very versatile instrument, but less and less appreciated. The Cultural Musical Activities Foundation Flevoland originated from the passion and love for the organ as an instrument. As a foundation, we want to introduce the public to the versatility of this magnificent instrument. Traditionally it has been strongly intertwined with church services and accompanying congregational singing. But more is possible with the organ, with respect for the building in which it is built. As a foundation, we would like to promote and make this heard.
At the beginning of 2022, the idea arose to look at possibilities to organize a concert in Germany. This would allow us to promote Dutch organists abroad and contribute to the goal that we have in mind as a foundation. After some searching we ended up at the Reinoldikirche in Dortmund and the Salvatorkirche in Duisburg. There are two fantastic organs in these two churches. These were two great concerts in 2023 that left us wanting more, which is why we are going to repeat this in 2024, but now with three concerts and four organists on three organs!
Four organists
As a foundation, we want to show/hear the versatility of the organ to the public. That is why we chose to travel with 2 organists. We have chosen 2 organists who differ in terms of repertoire and playing style from the organists associated with the organs. Because as an extra addition, 2 church organists associated with the instrument will also participate in the concerts. Precisely because of this, the visitor gets to hear a different side of the same organ three times! As an organization, we asked Gert van Hoef and Paul Fey to come with us for this trip. Gert also came along last year and was immediately enthusiastic, as was Paul Fey. Even though it was a new concept for Paul, he was immediately enthusiastic.
Both organists are very well known on YouTube, Gert is one of the most popular organists in the Netherlands on this platform with more than 120,000 followers. Paul Fey now has more than 45,000 and this number is still growing. It promises to be 3 great concerts on 3 fantastic organs.
The journey
The three concerts are scheduled for October 25/26, 2023 (during the autumn holidays).
No bus travel is included in the ticket price. Participants may travel to Dortmund by their own transport. The organization has consciously chosen this so that everyone is free to choose how he/she travels to Dortmund. This also gives you, as a participant, freedom of movement during the day.
The price for this organ festival will be around 200 euros. This includes overnight accommodation with breakfast and access to both concerts for 1 person. (approximately 250 euros for 2 people with 1 overnight stay in 1 hotel room including breakfast and access to both concerts). The final finishing touches are currently being added. As soon as everything has been finalized, tickets will also be sold via the foundation’s website.
The overnight stay is arranged a few minutes’ walk from the Reinoldikirche. The distance from the central station is a 1-minute walk, so it is also easily accessible by train! So you can walk straight from the hotel into the center of Dortmund. A beautiful city to explore on foot. That is why no excursions are planned during the day. This means that everyone is free to plan their own day during the day.
Concert Location #1:
Salvatorkirche (Duisburg)
Date: Friday evening, Oct. 25
Timeitp: 18:00
Location: Salvatorkirche in Duisburg
Organ: Kuhn organ(Disposition)
Organists: Gert van Hoef / Paul Fey
The 1st concert will take place on Friday evening, Oct. 25, 2024, at the Salvatorkirche in Duisburg. The organ is built like a butterfly. To this day, the church is the town’s landmark due to its blackened spire. The Gothic church was built in the 14th century and is famous for its large painted windows. In front of the window with the revelations of John, the organ is positioned. People built the organ without hiding a window. The colorfulness of the window is thus underscored by the cool hue of the organ, which rests like a butterfly between the heavy tower pillars.
Sound of the organ
With its 41 stops, the organ in Duisburg is not architecturally a giant organ. But the main work on 16 ‘ impresses with its only 10 stops as a “big” work. And the solo on 8′ low has the complete main construction and the stature of a positive. The distribution of voices among the 4 works makes for an extraordinary variety of combinations and a grandiose sound. In addition, swell represents all the elements necessary for echo effects, solo inserts or the formation of an 8’ chorus. The pedal with 16 ‘ forms the flanking towers of the prospectus and has all the qualities that give hold. Both classical and romantic soundscapes benefit from the varied equilage along with the two 16′ and 4’ couplers.
Concert Location #2:
Pauluskirche (Dortmund)
Date: Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26
Time: 14:00
Location: Pauluskirche in Dortmund
Organ: Rieger(Disposition)
Organist: Dietmar Korthals
The 2nd concert will take place on Saturday afternoon, October 26, 2024 in the Pauluskirche in Dortmund. The church was built in 1894. The Rieger organ that stands there now is – after organs by Walcker and Kemper – the third organ in the Pauluskirche. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Pauluskirche, the building was renovated; In this context it was decided to also build a new organ. The position of the organ behind the altar offers a number of advantages, especially when playing with other instrumentalists and entire orchestras
Sound of the organ
The organ has 29 registers, divided into 2 manuals and a pedal. It is one of the more interesting organs in the region, mainly because of its very successful voicing, which allows the reproduction of a wide variety of styles.
Concert Location #3:
Reinoldikirche (Dortmund)
Date: Saturday evening, Oct. 26
Time: 18:30
Location: Reinoldikirche in Dortmund
Organ: Muhleisen Orgel(Dispostion)
Organists: Gert van Hoef / Paul Fey / Christian Drengk
The 3rd concert will take place on Oct. 26, 2024 at the Reinoldikirche in Dortmund. The 1909 Walcker organ, destroyed in 1944, with 107 stops on five manuals, inspired the current organ. After intense deliberation, it was decided to exchange the Walcker organ for a technically, musically and spatially new concept. The new main organ has four manuals, three of which have mechanical action. In addition, several rows are equipped with single-color valves in swell, solo and pedal, greatly increasing the possibilities of using these stops.
Sound of the organ
The disposition has 54 stops; in addition, there are 17 extensions and 5 transmissions. Some 30 stops from the previous organ were included in the current organ.
During intonation work on the main work, the affectionate nickname “Trudi” arose for the chest work. This resulted eventually in 2 names for the 2 organs: the choir organ is called “Claire,” while the main organ is called “Isolde.” Although Claire and Isolde were designed as complete independently usable instruments, they blend seamlessly when combined. This is more pleasing because the room acoustics of the Reinoldi proved much more challenging than one might initially think.
The Principal 8′ of the main work carries such liveliness that one can hear its “crackle” through all the basic voices full of character, while the Principal 8 ́ of the positive seems calmer and “older.”
Registered in a certain way, Isolde can almost sound like an old organ: the large, relaxed main work plenum with the Chamade as cantus firmus in the pedal reminds us of the grandeur of old French instruments.
Despite these historically oriented associations, Claire and Isolde are clearly modern organs with a wide range of dynamic and timbrally differentiated voices, accessible in various ways through today’s modern electronics. Claire and Isolde are a contribution by the Werkstätte Mühleisen to the eternal discussion of how a modern, universally applicable organ can be integrated aesthetically and characteristically into a beautiful church building.
Overnight location:
If you book your overnight stay through us then you choose to stay at the MOXY Dortmund City Hotel. You will stay in a single or double suite incl breakfast. Rooms are spacious and modern with free WIFI.
The MOXY Dortmund City Hotel is located in the city center and within walking distance of stores, restaurants and the main train station. There is also quick public transportation to the Signal Iduna park, home of the Borussia Dortmund soccer team.
- Located in the center of Dortmund
- stores and restaurants in front of the door
- The Borussia Dortmund stadium is easy to reach
Register
Would you like to join us? Then sign up quickly through our ticket shop:
https://scmaf.nl/evenement/west-meet-east-on-organ/
The information on this page is updated regularly. Last update: 18-06-2024