Innsbruck Tourismus
Press Release
The majestic sounds of Innsbruck’s magnificent pipe organs
Superb instruments make the Capital of the Alps a centre for church music
No other city in Austria can boast more pipe organs than Innsbruck. All of them in mint
condition, these magnificent instruments can be found in St. James’s Cathedral and
numerous other churches across the city. They are frequently played by outstanding
local organists during high mass or evening services, and renowned international guest
musicians perform regularly at select concert events. The extensive repertoire of these
recitals ranges from early church music from the Baroque era to contemporary secular
works.
The most spectacular organs can be admired at St. James's Cathedral, the Court
Church, the Wilten Abbey Church and Basilica, the parish churches of Mariahilf and Igls
and, of course, at the splendid St. George's Chapel located within the premises of the
former State Parliament. The Innsbruck Cathedral, which incidentally also plays an
important role in the Tyrolean section of the Way of St. James, is home to an exceptional
Baroque organ dating back to 1725. Originally built by Johann Caspar Humpel of Meran
(Italy), it was meticulously renovated by organ builder Hans Pirchner from nearby
Steinach in 2000.
At the Court Church, music lovers are treated to the heavenly sounds of two
magnificent organs with the better known Ebert organ being one of the oldest of its kind
in Austria. Built in 1558, this exquisite instrument was first played publicly in 1561. It
features a set of painted folding doors, skilfully decorated with scenes from the New
Testament which used to remain closed during Advent and Lent, in order to subdue the
organ’s powerful sound. Its angelic harmonies and majestic splendour can be enjoyed
during Sunday mass and various summer concerts, or while taking part in one of the
numerous guided tours on offer.
The Abbey Church at Wilten Abbey, whose grounds are an important site in the founding
of Innsbruck, is the proud home of as many as three pipe organs. The Festorgel - which
matches the style of the Baroque main altar - was built in 2008 by Dutch organ builder
Verschueren of Hythuysen. The Reil organ, built in the same year, complements the
style of the choir stalls. The historic Herz organ dates back to 1670 and has remained
Innsbruck Tourismus
Silvana M. Giuliani
International Marketing & Press
Tel. +43 512 / 59 850 - 123
s.giuliani@innsbruck.info
Innsbruck Tourismus
Press Release
virtually unchanged since then. Played throughout the year by internationally renowned
organists at numerous concert events, these instruments can be heard regularly at
religious festivals, choral services and other occasions.
Wilten Basilica, with its impressive Baroque architecture, is situated just across from
the abbey church. This 4th century sacred site has been a place of pilgrimage since the
High Middle Ages. The basilica as we know it today was constructed in the mid-18th
century. While the encasement of the basilica’s pipe organ dates back to the same era,
the instrument itself was replaced by the so-called Reinisch organ in 1894. Following
extensive restoration in 2003. it plays just as beautifully now as it did then. The organ is
used mainly for the annual Spiritual Evening Concerts, with singers, organists and
other musicians performing together on Monday nights during the summer months.
Two of Innsbruck’s smaller Baroque churches, Mariahilf parish church and St.
George's Chapel at the former State Parliament, are fitted with modern Pirchner
organs which frequently feature in exquisite musical recitals. The Mariahilf organ, for
instance, plays an important role in in the Innsbruck Evening Concerts focusing on
early music works, whereas the instrument in St. George’s Chapel can be heard once
a month at brief, twenty-minute after-work recitals. The last organ to be mentioned
adorns the Igls parish church. Dating back to the mid-19th century, its heavenly sounds
fill the delightful village church during a string of evening concerts between June and
September.
Every three years, almost all of the above mentioned pipe organs can be compared at
leisure during the Paul Hofhaimer competition. Organized by the city of Innsbruck, the
event is scheduled to take place again in summer 2016, thus providing ample
opportunity to musicians from all across the globe to compete against each other in a
spectacular series of free organ concerts.
Information: Innsbruck Tourismus, tel. +43 512 59 850, office@insbruck.info,
www.innsbruck.info
Innsbruck Tourismus
Silvana M. Giuliani
International Marketing & Press
Tel. +43 512 / 59 850 - 123
s.giuliani@innsbruck.info