A trip to the westernmost regional center of Russia can be considered inferior without visiting at least one organ hall. Kaliningrad, being an old European city, has preserved the remains of medieval Gothic. Here are rightfully located several representatives of the most magnificent family of musical instruments.
Organ Halls of Kaliningrad
Strictly speaking, on the territory of the former German city of Koenigsberg, you can enjoy the masterpieces of Bach or Handel in two places. First of all, it is the Cathedral of Kaliningrad, the organ hall of which has been completely restored relatively recently. No less famous is the city philharmonic. But if you find the time and go to Svetlogorsk, you can listen to another famous organ.
Cathedral on Kant
This Gothic temple was almost completely destroyed by British aircraft during World War II. The ruins of the cathedral stood until 1992, when the first restoration work began.
But a full restoration was unthinkable without the creation of an organ complex - the heart of the temple. And finally, funds were allocated for its construction. In 2006, a small organ sounded for the first time in the cathedral. But that was only the beginning. Within eleven months, a large organ was built. In 2008, the opening of the complex.
Both bodies are equipped with electronics and are interconnected by optical fiber, which allows the musician to play both instruments simultaneously. On the other hand, two can control the most complicated mechanism. This allows you to play music of a truly cosmic scale.
Regional Philharmonic
Here is the no less famous organ hall of Kaliningrad. Philharmonic Address: ul. Bogdan Khmelnitsky, 61a. This is another Gothic building - the Church of the Holy Family. True, it was built much later than the Cathedral.
The building was damaged during the war not as much as the main temple of the city. However, it was restored for a long time and opened to visitors only in 1980. Concerts began to be held here, because the acoustics of the Catholic church were ideally suited for classical music. However, the main place was empty - where the organ should be, there was a balcony for the audience.
In 1982, the city administration decided to turn to Czech masters. An organ appeared in the cathedral that brought world fame to the Kaliningrad Philharmonic. The majestic instrument consists of 3600 pipes combined in 44 registers. It was played by the best musicians of Russia and Europe.
Sounds of an organ on the Baltic Sea
The road to Svetlogorsk takes less than an hour by train from the South Station of Kaliningrad. This is the only Russian resort on the Baltic coast. In addition to a beach holiday, the city is famous for its organ hall.
In 1995, on the site of the chapel "Virgin Mary - Star of the Sea", completely destroyed during the war, the Makarov Organ Hall was built. This small, neo-Gothic style building is one of the main attractions of the city.
The organ is made by the German company Hugo Mayer Orgelbau, third-generation craftsmen. Currently, the hall is recognized as the best in the Baltic states, having overtaken even the famous Dome Cathedral in Riga.
Organ Concerts
The Cathedral hosts daily 40-minute mini-performances for tourists, where you can hear the works of Bach, Haydn, Orff and other great composers. The largest academic hall in Europe hosts international festivals and competitions.
In addition to concerts, the Philharmonic has organized educational programs for children and thematic season tickets. Eight festivals are held on its stage, including the world-famous “Divine Service”.
Svetlogorsk Hall is open all year. Organ mini-concerts are held here twice a week. In addition, in the hall you can listen to choral singing and chamber ensembles. Here are the stars of the classical scene from around the world.
Organ music will not leave indifferent even an unprepared listener. Indescribable power and depth captures and does not let go until the last chords. These sounds are felt with the whole body, and the soul rises upward.