Festival Week for the Inauguration of the Hill Organ at St. Marien Prenzlau

An Organ of European Standing Returns

The Hill Organ at Prenzlau's St. Marien Church is a special case in the German organ landscape: built in 1904 by the renowned London firm Hill & Son, the instrument with 40 stops across three manuals and pedal is the largest completely original preserved organ of English organ building in Central Europe. After years of extensive restoration, the organ will return to its full sonic splendour in 2026 – the occasion for a festival week of extraordinary significance.

St. Marien Church Prenzlau

St. Marien Church is one of the largest North German Brick Gothic churches – a three-nave hall church from the 14th century, a defining landmark of the city of Prenzlau and the centre of church music life in the Uckermark region. With the restoration of the Hill Organ, the church is once again moving into the European concert circuit.

Festival Service and Inaugural Concert (May 14, 2026)

The festival service for the organ inauguration on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM – Ascension Day – marks the start. On the evening of the same day, at 7:30 PM, the inaugural concert 'God save the King!' follows. The programme line connects the instrument's English provenance with the great organ works of the English tradition.

Jonathan Scott from Manchester (May 15, 2026)

On Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM, Jonathan Scott from Manchester will perform a virtuoso transcription concert. Scott is one of Great Britain's best-known organ virtuosos and a specialist in orchestral transcriptions – a fitting accent to the English provenance of the Hill Organ.

Last Night of the Proms with Two Organs (May 16, 2026)

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM – already sold out – 'Last Night of the Proms' with two organs follows: a rarely experienced concert format that brings the Hill Organ together with a second instrument, transferring the tradition of the famous Royal Albert Hall concerts to the brick ambience of the Uckermark.

Choir-Organ-Orchestra Project (May 16, 2026)

On the same Saturday, a grand choir-organ-orchestra project will also take place – an intertwining of the Hill Organ, choirs from the region, and an orchestra. This places the organ in a broad church music context, making the restoration an experience as a collective endeavour.

Ticket Sales

Tickets are available via Eventim and the Prenzlau Tourist Information Office. Individual concerts – especially 'Last Night of the Proms' – sold out early.