Unique organ competition in Cologne: celebration for Albert Schweitzer!

Unique organ competition in Cologne: celebration for Albert Schweitzer!

In Cologne, everything will soon revolve around the keys: On September 24th and 25th, the sixth international organ competition of the Evangelical Church Association of Cologne and the Region will take place in the Trinity Church. This competition, which has been a fixture since 2019, is dedicated this year to the special significance of Albert Schweitzer as we celebrate his 150th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his death. Schweitzer, whose name is inextricably linked to his research on the organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, is hereby brought back to life. [Cologne Church]

For the participants, the competition is tougher than ever. Of the numerous applicants, only eight candidates managed to qualify for the competition, which impressively illustrates the high demands of the selection process. The jury, which consists of well-known personalities such as Melanie Jäger-Waldau and Thierry Mechler, will evaluate the talents in two rounds, which will take place on September 24th from 10 a.m. and on September 25th in the evening.

A musical event with highlights

A special highlight of this event will be the organ concert on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m., where Thierry Mechler will present works by Bach, Schumann and Debussy, among others. Admission to this concert is free - making it a great opportunity for all music lovers to experience world-class organ music. [Cologne Church]

The final round, which will take place on Thursday at 6 p.m., promises to be just as exciting, with secret improvisation themes remaining under wraps until the end. In addition, an audience prize of 500 euros will be awarded - an incentive for viewers to become an active part of the event.

Another competition in Saarbrücken

However, the Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition is not the only event in honor of the great humanitarian this year. An international competition will take place in Saarbrücken from October 8th to 12th, 2025 on the occasion of Schweitzer's 150th birthday. This competition takes place in the Basilica of St. Johann and has the motto of promoting excellent organ performances and cultural friendship between Germany, France and Luxembourg. [Saar Music Festival]

Participants from all over the world are invited to take part, with a focus on young organists born after December 31, 1991. Overall, there is impressive prize money, including 15,000 euros for first place, which further enhances this event. The application deadline is May 1, 2025, and a number of documents must be submitted, including a CV and proof of date of birth.

For organists preparing for this competition, a 15-minute improvisation is also required as part of the finale - an opportunity to demonstrate creativity and skill. The jury promises to set new standards in the field of organ music and to name the best talents, although legal recourse is excluded. [Albert Schweitzer Today]

These two important competitions will sustainably enrich the music scene in our region and keep the tradition of honoring Albert Schweitzer alive. Whether organized competitions or concerts, one thing is certain: organ music is in full bloom and is very popular!