200 years of school organ: festival concert in Großrettbach on July 5th!

200 years of school organ: festival concert in Großrettbach on July 5th!

In the picturesque St. Gotthard Church in Großrettbach, a very special festival will be celebrated on July 5, 2025-the 200th anniversary celebration of the "Schulze-Orgel". This historical event is not only a reason to celebrate, but also part of the popular Thuringian organ summer, which celebrates the diverse organ culture of the region. The celebration begins at 3:00 p.m. and promises musical flights with a performance that will perform works by the composers Vivaldi, Manfredini and Francescini. [Oscar on Friday] (https://www.oscar-am-freitag.de/beitraege-gotha/das-muss-gewerden-werden-wergen-werge- Orgel-in-Grossrettbach/) reports on the festival that begins with a wine reception for the guests and after the concert with a sociable birthday party in the community center Großrettbach including coffee and cake. The admission price is a fair 15 euros, a bargain for such an event!

The organ itself has a long and eventful story. Built in 1825 by Johann Friedrich Schulze, it was built for the Protestant parish in Großrettbach and cost 780 thaler - a not inconsiderable sum for the time. At the inauguration on February 6, 1825, the municipality was able to look forward to a new musical heart. Over the years, the organ had to accept some setbacks such as the delivery of the tin penton during the First World War, but the treasures of the past were brought back to life by restoration from 2019 to 2020 by the Waltershausen organ building workshop. On June 12, 2021, the organ could finally be inaugurated again, which increases the anticipation for the upcoming anniversary.

musical highlights with talented artists

Who are the artists who accompany this festival musically? There are mostly outstanding talents that are committed to music. Cosima Schreier, who is active as a church musician in Sömmerda, will be heard on the organ. With her early musical career, which included piano lessons from the age of four, and her degree with award in church music and school music, she brings a remarkable expertise into the celebration. The trumpeter Carsten Tupaika and the experienced Michael Heinrich stand by her side. Tupaika, a "cross-over musician" and teacher, has established himself with his diversity in the music scene, while Heinrich was able to gain his experience as a solo trumpeter in renowned places such as the comic opera in Berlin and in the Telemann chamber orchestra. [Organ summer] (https://orgelsommer.de/konzert/festkonzert-fuer- orgel-2-trompeten-200-jahlze- Orgel/) emphasizes the high quality of the performances that will come into its own.

insight into the Thuringian organ summer

The Thuringian organ summer itself is a real festival for friends of organ music. The festival has been attracting music lovers every year since 1991 and so far over 2000 concerts have been organized with well -known artists. [Bach Thuringia] (https://www.bach-thueringen.de/w/thuringer- orgelsommer) emphasizes that the organs of the region, often called "queens", had a significant influence on musical development in Germany and also provide many culinary offers for a sociable atmosphere.

This anniversary is not only a tribute to the “Schulze organ” itself, but also a sign of the lively cultural landscape in the region and the connection of tradition and innovation. So if you have time on July 5th, you should not miss this musical event!