Organ highlights: Erfurt’s Ingrid Kasper inspires in the Magdeburg Cathedral!

Organ highlights: Erfurt’s Ingrid Kasper inspires in the Magdeburg Cathedral!

Magdeburg, Deutschland - Today, music lovers can look forward to a very special organ concert in Majestic Magdeburg Cathedral. At 4 p.m., the regional church music director Ingrid Kasper from Erfurt will make the Schuke organ sound. It is the first time that it appears at the popular organ point concert series, which takes place every Sunday at this time in the cathedral, and admission is free. In this concert, she will present works by greats such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Pachelbel, Ralph Vaughan Williams as well as the less well -known composer John Rutter and Josef Gabriel Rheinberger. A special highlight will be the performance of Léon Boëllmann's "Suite Gothique", a milestone of French romanticism that is valued for its linking of choral sounds and dance melodies.

Ingrid Kasper, who saw the light of day in Fürth in 1974, brings an impressive musical vita. Since October 2023 she has been the regional church music director of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and has worked as a cantor at the Augustinian Church in Erfurt. Her career is characterized by numerous appearances as an organist, teaching, and she has also published several CDs. She laid the foundation stone of her musical training during her studies in the Protestant church music at the University of Music and Theater in Munich.

immersion in the suite gothique

The "Suite Gothique", which Boëllmann composed in 1895, is one of the best -known works of organ music and has a permanent place in the repertoire of many organists. It was designed on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ghys organ in the parish church of Notre-Dame in Dijon and shows the influence of large organ composers such as César Franck and Eugène Gigout. Originally kept in C minor, this suite is divided into four sentences: from the impressive "Introduction-Choral" to the lively "Menuet Gothique", the soulful "Prière à Notre-Dame" to the rousing toccata, which will conquer the audience in the storm. This dynamic composition not only requires technical virtuosity, it also leaves a lasting impression through its majestic sound worlds.

Boëllmann, born on September 25, 1862, left the 160 works in various genres, and the "Suite Gothique" forms an outstanding part of his work. The French composer, who died at the age of 35, is particularly valued for his innovative sound language and the impressive sound colors of his works. Especially the Toccata from the Suite, which is known for its dynamic increases and complex musical structures, remains unforgettable and is often regarded as his main work.

a cultural experience in the heart of Magdeburg

Today's concert stands for high musical quality, but is also a sign of the living church music scene in Germany. The oldest Gothic cathedral in the country, the Magdeburg Cathedral, offers the perfect backdrop. The preservation and promotion of such cultural events are crucial in order to keep the tradition of organ music alive and to inspire new listeners.

Ingrid Kasper and the "Suite Gothique" will complement each other perfectly and offer the visitors of the concert an unforgettable experience. We can be excited to see how the splendor of the Schuke organ and the magnificence of the works of the great composers will reconcile.

Overall, the evening promises to be a fairly festive event, in which not only music, but also the atmosphere in the cathedral ensures a deep impression. So visiting this concert is not just an enrichment for fans of organ music, but a must for everyone interested in culture.