The Organ – a central cultural asset
European-wide Organ Symposium in Zurich
Over a period of four days in September 2011, the Organ was the focus of an international audience. The Symposium themes include relaying the cultural worth of playing organ “The Queen of Instruments”, to children and the youth, the promotion of young talent and the education of organists, the meaning of the organ, in both liturgical and concert contexts and the conservation and cultural preservation of the instrument. Firstly, the organ assets/inventory throughout Europe was summarized by various authors from the respective European countries. Renowned personalities had been invited as advisers and to participate in the discussion. The conference was organized by the association “orgel2011”, in close collaboration with the Faculty of Music at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, the University of Zurich (Academic Music Faculty), the Catholic and Reformed National Church and various federations.
The Addressees who came from all over Europe, are experts in the areas of Organ playing, Teaching (Lecturers, Students), Organ construction (Organ Builders, Organ experts), conservation of monuments, music management, as well as representatives responsible from the Church, Cultural and Political spheres. However, the symposium was more than merely a meeting of specialists, with numerous organ presentations, concerts, an organ walk and the public presentation of the Tonahalle Organ, playing with orchestra.
Parallel to the symposium, a program including Organ Pipe Construction, Organ Fairy Tales and Organ Demonstrations was on offer to children and the youth. All organ students of the Music Conservatoires of Basel, Bern, Lucerne and Zurich have devoted themselves over the current semester to the Theme of “Organ Youth Development”, whereby they planned and carried out an Organ demonstration for children and the youth. (Competition announced by the symposium)
World Premieres of works from internationally acclaimed composer Mathias Seinauer, Gérman Toro-Pérez and Burkhard Kinzler were presented at the opening of the symposium in a concert in Grossmünster and in musically arranged ecumenical services in the Liebfrauenkirche. A friendly contention in front of open microphones took place with Organ Lecturers from Bern, Basel, Lucerne and Zurich, at the Organ of the French Church and this was broadcast on “Ludothek im 2” (Radio DRS), moderated by Roland Wächter.