Haarlem is organ city no. 1 of the Netherlands, thanks to the world-famous organ in the St Bavokerk, built in 1738 by Christian Müller. Famous composers such as Mozart and Handel came to Haarlem to play on this instrument.
In 2010, the 48th edition of the International Organ Festival Haarlem will take place.
On the Haarlem Organ Day (17 July 2010 10.00-17.00 hours) you can follow the 'Mozart route' through the town centre and enjoy free half-hour concerts and recitals. Mozart's organ works are the theme, and in the course of the day they will all be performed. Beside solo recitals there will be concerts with organ and voice, organ duet etc.
In this festival edition you will have another chance to vote for your favourite candidate in the International Improvisation Competition for Organists. Eight international organists will improvise a fully-fledged, 10-minute piece of music on a given theme. You can hear how one and the same theme leads to very different pieces, how players struggle with the notes, get all tied up, bluff their way through, or rise beyond themselves and triumphantly claim the coveted Haarlem trophy that has launched so many international careers.
For two weeks you can enjoy international top performances in the daily concerts. Old and new music, jewels both familiar and unfamiliar, organ recitals and programmes with other instruments, famous players and newly-discovered talent: its all part of the Haarlem festival.
What is more varied than the organ? The instrument can sing and roar, move and overwhelm, fascinate and repel … it is always a voyage of discovery, and the place to experience all this is the International Organ Festival Haarlem.
