Opening concert of the 53rd Merseburg Organ Festival

The Merseburg Organ Festival is taking place for the 53rd time, with the magnificent Ladegast organ in Merseburg Cathedral taking centre stage. From 9 to 17 September 2023, the audience can look forward to numerous concerts with top-class organists. Under the title "AppetitAnReger - Max Reger on his 150th birthday", we will be commemorating the important German composer of the late Romantic period, Max Reger, in 2023.

Opening concert
Historical concert programme by Hermann Dettmer
performed on 11 May 1902 in Merseburg Cathedral
with the world premiere of the 2nd organ sonata op. 60 by Max Reger
On the Ladegast organ: Michael Schönheit

Tickets are available in advance via reservix.de, adticket.com and in the Tourist-Information Merseburg.

Program

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto in G major BWV 592 after Prince Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar
without designation - Grave - Presto

Max Reger (1973-1916) 
From: Nine Pieces op. 59
No. 7 Kyrie
No. 9 Benedictus

Fantasy on the chorale "Wie schön leucht't uns der Morgenstern" op. 40, No. 1

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Fantasy on the chorale "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" op. 50, No. 2

Second Sonata in D minor op. 60
(first performed on 11 May 1902 in Merseburg Cathedral)
Improvisation - Invocation - Introduction and Fugue