Musical commemoration of Kurt Grahl: St. Josef community celebrates!

Musical commemoration of Kurt Grahl: St. Josef community celebrates!

A very special event will be celebrated in Dresden-Pieschen on June 22, 2025: The festive service of the Catholic community of St. Josef is dedicated to the memory of the popular church musician and composer Kurt Grahl, who died on April 2, 2025 at the age of 77. The service begins at 9 a.m. and has the motto “If the bread we share”. Only works by Grahl, who worked as church music director at the Leipzig provost's office for over 40 years, will be played.

Kurt Grahl was born on September 18, 1947 in Markneukirchen and began his musical career as an organist in the Catholic Church at the age of 11. With the support of his parents and pastor Georg Trexler, he moved to Leipzig to continue his education. Despite a rocky road that involved dropping out of high school, he completed his studies in church music in 1969 and took on the role of cantor, organist and choir director in the provost parish of St. Trinitatis. Over the course of his career, Grahl composed more than 1,000 works and had a great influence on the church music of his time.

Festive service and community celebration

After the service, the St. Josef parish invites all visitors to a colorful summer festival. There is something for the whole family here! Various activities are planned, including a canon round, where singing along is encouraged. This offers the opportunity to strengthen the community and remember Kurt Grahl's musical contributions together.

His music will be the focus not only at the service but also during the festival. Grahl was known for his ability to create and perform music for young and old, which is also reflected in the large number of his compositions. Many of his works have been published by renowned publishers and grace the repertoire of church choirs not only in Germany.

A life for music

Kurt Grahl has led numerous choirs over the years and inspired generations of musicians. In 1980 he was appointed the youngest church music director of his time. Grahl was not only a mentor, but also a storyteller through his music. His wife Agnes Grahl, also a singer and choir director, was an important part of his life, and his children Kristina and Robert, who are also musically active, are still a living legacy of his passion.

The St. Josef community hopes that many people will come together on this day to remember and celebrate Kurt Grahl's legacy. On this festive occasion, music is not only heard, but also made tangible - “a day full of community, remembrance and music,” is the motto of the upcoming festive service.

Come by and let yourself be carried away by the music, the community and the spirit of Kurt Grahl!