On the 207th birthday of Friedrich Ladegast - outlook on the 55th Merseburg Organ Festival

"BACH 2025 - Johann Sebastian Bach's musical heirs"
Organ music for four hands and four feet

The musical preview of the 55th Merseburg Organ Festival begins with a festive concert on 30 August 2025 at 7 pm in Merseburg Cathedral. The evening is dedicated to the 207th birthday of Friedrich Ladegast, the builder of the famous cathedral organ - an outstanding instrument of Romantic organ building.
Under the motto "BACH 2025 - Johann Sebastian Bach's musical heirs", the audience will encounter musical lines and influences that have characterised generations of composers based on Bach. In a special format - organ music for four hands and four feet - the internationally renowned organists Reinhard Seeliger (Görlitz) and Henri Ormières (Carcassonne) present an exciting and sonorous programme.
The cathedral's two Ladegast organs offer a unique sound space for the sophisticated interplay. The evening will be led by cathedral organist Michael Schönheit, who will complement the programme with background information and explanations.
A sonorous prelude and a tribute to Bach's musical heritage - and to the great organ builder Ladegast.

On the loading-guest organs: REINHARD SEELIGER - Görlitz, HENRI ORMIERES - Carcassonne
Moderation: DOMORGANIST MICHAEL SCHÖNHEIT

the following pieces will be played:

Samuel Wesley/J. S. Bach: Duett for Organ (an introduction to the Grand Triple Fugue in E flat by Sebastian Bach - introduction by Samuel Wesley, fugue by J.S.Bach)

Max Reger/JSB: Air and Gavotte I/II from the 3rd Orchestral Suite

Niels Wilhelm Gade/JSB: Variations on "Sey gegrüßet Jesu gütig"

David Traugott Nicolai (organist at the Görlitz Sun Organ): Fugue II 

Adolph Friedrich Hesse: Fantasy in C minor

Adolph Friedrich Hesse: Variations in A flat major

Tickets are available in advance at the Tourist-Information Merseburg or under www.reservix.de