10th International Organ Summer 2026

The concert series sees itself as a vibrant cosmos of tradition and avant-garde. This year, it is dedicated with deep gratitude to the memory of its long-time mentor and supporter, the influential Berlin cultural manager Prof. Dr. Ulrich Eckhardt (1934–2025).

“BETWEEN THE AGE” – 10 Years of the International Organ Summer at Engelbecken

BERLIN – For the tenth time this year, the historic St. Michael Church at Engelbecken (Michaelkirchplatz, 10179 Berlin-Mitte) will transform into a premier venue for international organ art. From May 29 to October 30, 2026, the Förderverein St. Michael e.V. invites you to a total of six concerts under the motto “BETWEEN THE AGE.” Top-tier international soloists will present their personally curated programs.

The concerts will explore the tonal and stylistic range of the historic Sauer organ and bring the cathedral-like acoustics of St. Michael to life.

The repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque works through the sonic splendor of the late Romantic period to visionary modern compositions and world premieres.

The series kicks off on May 29, 2026, with Cathedral Organist Emeritus Thomas Sauer performing, among other works, Naji Hakim’s colorful set of variations ‘To Call My True Love To My Dance’. This will be followed by concerts by Vladimir Magalashvili (June 26), Dr. Jakub Sawicki (July 31), Parvis Hejazi (August 28), and Alexandra Bartfeld (September 25). The closing concert on October 30 will be presented by Artistic Director Ulrike von Wiesenau.

An Organ Summer in Memory

This year’s Organ Summer is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Ulrich Eckhardt (1934–2025). A lawyer, musician, and cultural manager known far beyond Berlin, he shaped the Berliner Festspiele as its long-time artistic director and served, among other roles, as interim artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic and curator of the Philharmonic Organ Series. He inspired the International Organ Summer at St. Michael from the very beginning with his extraordinary concerts and was a mentor and supporter of the concert series.

Encounters and History at a Historic Site

The concerts offer more than just music: Following the events, Ulrike von Wiesenau, the series’ artistic director, invites guests to the Café am Engelbecken for conversation and encounters with the artists, who bring their diverse backgrounds and associated perspectives on music to the table. The venue itself exudes history: the church, built in the mid-19th century by Schinkel’s student August Soller, was destroyed in 1945. Only since the end of the division of Berlin has the urban context of the historic Luisenstadt on the border between Mitte and Kreuzberg become tangible again.

Admission to all concerts is free. The Förderverein St. Michael e.V. asks for donations to support its work and to sustain the concert series.

The dates at a glance (every Friday at 5:00 p.m.):

May 29 (Opening): Cathedral Organist Emeritus Thomas Sauer (works by Bach, Franck, Widor, Hakim)

June 26: Vladimir Magalashvili (works by Bach, Handel, Fauré, Seilova)

July 31: Dr. Jakub Sawicki (works by Bach, Liszt, and improvisations)

August 28: Parvis Hejazi (works by Bach, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Messiaen)

September 25: Alexandra Bartfeld (works by Bach, Muhly, de Cousu, Glass, Foster, and others)

October 30 (Closing Concert): Ulrike von Wiesenau (works by Bach, Cage, Demessieux)

Location: St. Michael, Michaelkirchplatz, 10179 Berlin-Mitte.

The concerts begin at 5:00 p.m. Following the concert, the Friends of St. Michael invite you to a discussion with the artists at Café am Engelbecken.

Artistic Director: Ulrike von Wiesenau - Organized by the St. Michael Friends Association and the Weidenfeld Agency