- Organ Festival preparations in Merseburg are being organized
With the 54th Orgeltage merely two weeks away in Merseburg, preparations are in full swing. This year, under the theme "Austria's Music Land – from Viennese Classics to the Viennese School of Modernism", the city in the Saale district aims to draw in music lovers from near and far from September 7th to 15th. Various venues will host several concerts throughout these days.
Organizers plan to showcase around 300 years of Austrian musical heritage during this event. Concerts will not be limited to the Merseburg Cathedral but will also take place in other notable venues such as the Baroque church in Burgliebenau and Merseburg Castle.
Since 1994, the Merseburg Orgeltage has been under the management of the Verein Freundeskreis Musik und Denkmalpflege in Kirchen des Merseburger Landes. This led to the restoration of the Ladegast organ between 2002 and 2004. Built by renowned organ builder Friedrich Ladegast (1818-1905), this organ boasts 5687 pipes, making it one of the "largest and most beautiful romantic organs in all of Germany."
Organ music and organ building were recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2017.
Merseburg Orgeltage Program:
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Visitors can expect a wide range of Austrian musical history at various venues, not just the Merseburg Cathedral, as part of the Other notable locations hosting concerts during the Orgeltage. The UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage of organ music and organ building will be highlighted throughout the event.
