There is no better way to start Advent Sunday than with a varied, atmospheric organ concert: Christian Schmitt, renowned concert organist with a professorship at the Rotterdam Conservatory, invites you to a matinee with a program that presents the "queen of instruments" from the most beautiful romanticism to a piece exclusively for the pedals (i.e. played with the feet!).

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Christian Schmitt, organ

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The stage is set for our favourite organist, who is also in great demand on the international scene: In the last organ concert of this season, Christian Schmitt will play our large concert hall organ – accompanied by our solo flutist Daniela Koch and our deputy solo violist Branko Kabadaić. The concert begins with a fascinating etude for organ pedal, which Christian Schmitt premièred in Zurich in 2023 – and about which the composer Maximilian Schnaus writes: »The musical idea illuminates the peripheral areas of the organ sound and the peripheral areas of our perception.« Liszt studied Bach’s organ works and passions intensively, particularly during his time in Weimar – and his affection for this Baroque master found intimate expression in the Andante »Aus tiefer Not«, written in 1859. Paul Hindemith wrote this touching funeral music on a concert tour in London on 21 January 1936 within a few hours after King George V had died there on the previous day. Bach’s masterful Sonata in G major captivates with its skilful interweaving of voices between the two instruments. For César Franck, it was clear: »Mon orgue? – C'est un orchestre!« And that is exactly how his magnificent musical creations sound – including the »Grande pièce symphonique«, completed in 1862, which even bears the required orchestral gesture in its title. Tōru Takemitsu, the cosmopolitan and influential composer from Japan, created an almost revolutionary work in 1971 with his flute piece »Voice« – because the human voice is included here in an interesting way. To wrap things up, the concertino by Cécile Chaminade, written in 1902, impresses with its breathtaking virtuosity, passionate gestures, shimmering harmonies and yearning melodies.

Organ concert: Schmitt Koch Kabadaić

Bamberg Concert Hall

Christian Schmitt is one of the rising stars in the world of the organ. Having performed in major concert halls from Los Angeles to Tokyo, he makes his debut in Liège with Mendelssohn's exuberant Fourth Sonata, one of Bach's greatest preludes and fugues, and the fiery Sonata by Julius Reubke (a disciple of Liszt), one of the most remarkable works in the romantic repertoire. In contrast, there is the neomedieval music of Arvo Pärt and a composition by the young German composer Maximilian Schnaus.

Maximilian Schnaus

Events

Past events

Dec 14, 2025

Christian Schmitt, organ · Elbphilharmonie

Mar 23, 2025

Organ concert: Schmitt Koch Kabadaić · Bamberger Symphoniker

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