As part of the Easter programme, San Ginés Church is hosting the sixteenth edition of this classic organ music concert series, which introduces different artists and periods, textures and sounds of the undisputed symphony instrument.

The Easter programme designed by Madrid City Council’s Department for Culture, Tourism and Sport kicks off with the 16th edition of the Organ Music concert series at San Ginés. Four concerts will be held between Friday 24 March and Monday 3 April in this emblematic parish located in the heart of the city, in Calle Arenal, 13. This year, the array of performing artists is extended, adding new ones and repertoires to the classic compositions of the undisputed symphony instrument.

Combination of classics and new names

As always in this traditional event, there will be works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), along with composers of musical romanticism, such as Félix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847), Max Reger (1873-1916) or Eugéne Gigout (1844-1925), along with 20th century composers, such as Jehan Alain (1919-1940) and Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992).

They will be joined by composers who have never formed part of the programme, such as Henri Mulet (1878-1967), Eduardo Torres (1872-1934) or Claude Balbastre (1724-1799), as well as young contemporary composers, such as Samuel Kummer and Christiaan Winter.

The concert series will kick off with the participation of Samuel Kummer, organist and promoter of musical activity at the Frauenkirche (Our Lady) of Dresden, historic Baroque temple, authentic spotlight of musical culture in Germany.

This performer will be followed by two leading organists from Madrid: the maestro, Roberto Fresco from Our Lady of Almudena Cathedral, and Jesús F. Ruiz, from Jesús de Medinaceli Basilica, both of which are organ centres of reference in the capital.

The concert series will be rounded off with the participation of the renowned emeritus maestro Bernhard Marx, who was a professor at the Religious Music High School in Rottenburg and is now the organist at the Sankt Blasien Abbey, in the Black Forest.

The concerts will begin at 6.30pm and will be free of charge up to the maximum seating capacity.  The temple will be open to the public 30 minutes prior to the start of the concerts.