Farewell to the master: Andreas Meisner leaves the Altenberger Cathedral

Farewell to the master: Andreas Meisner leaves the Altenberger Cathedral

Altenberger Dom, 51519 Altenberg, Deutschland - Andreas Meisner, a musical veteran and since 1985 cathedral organist of the Evangelical Cathedral Community Altenberg, has now retired after 40 years. An impressive chapter in the church music history of the region ended with a festive concert under the title "Andreas Meisner & Friends" in the Altenberg Cathedral, which gathered a full house of enthusiastic listeners. The event, which lasted over three hours, scored not only with a varied mix of festive and classical music, but also with performances by well -known talents and ensembles. According to Kirchen-koeln.de this was not only a farewell, but also a tribute to his remarkable career.

During his term, Meisner shaped church music in Altenberg and in the further region of Cologne. The cathedral organ, with its 6,000 whistles, became a central element of his musical work under his direction, which is why he is known as the "Lord of the 6,000 whistles". He gave over 1,000 concerts internationally that led him to countries such as France, Italy, England and Norway. The special acoustics and the impressive construction of the Altenberg Cathedral have created this framework for numerous musical highlights, including the conversion of the cathedral organ and ecumenical services. Kirchen-rechtsrheinisch.de

make a worthy farewell

The farewell ceremonies of Meisner began at the end of the previous year. In December he lasted the Bach Christmas Oratorio for the last time. The last months of his work were shaped by special concerts. In May in two sold -out performances, the "Messa da Requiem" from Verdi was presented, followed by a "big musical night", in which various soloists and ensembles participated, including the Ensemble Harmonic Brass from Munich and the cathedral cantore. Kirchen-koeln.de

The concert "Andreas Meisner & Friends" offered a colorful range of musical performances. From Bach's Toccata D minor, played by Harmonic Brass, to Jan van Eyck's "Engels Nachtigall" on the recorder by Susanne Ehrhardt, everything was represented. The masterpieces of romance were also not left out: Meisner and Rolf Müller played Gustav Adolf Merkel's organ sonata No. 1 and invited the audience on a journey through the history of music.

a look back and forward

Andreas Meisner leaves an impressive legacy. His special approach to church music was not only shown in his work with various choirs, including the Oratorio Choir of Cologne or the Domkantorei, but also in the organization of over 1,500 spiritual music. Despite his retirement, he plans to continue to give organ concerts and to deal with social, political issues. Kirchen-rechtsrheinisch.de

The position of the cathedral organist is temporarily not directly occupied, instead there will be an interim solution with five church musicians, which will be set up for the next two years. The musical work in the Altenberger Cathedral remains secured, even if the footsteps that Andreas Meisner left are huge. Kirchenmusik-ekbo.de