International Organ Summer at Berlin Cathedral

Berlin Cathedral — Berlin's Main Protestant Church

Berlin Cathedral at Lustgarten in Berlin-Mitte is Germany's largest Protestant church and one of the most magnificent examples of Wilhelminian architecture. Completed in 1905 by Julius Raschdorff at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II, it lay in ruins after the war and was only fully restored in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, it serves as a parish church, a burial place for the Hohenzollern dynasty, a concert hall, and a tourist magnet — and is home to one of Germany's most important organs.

The Sauer Organ

The Sauer organ at Berlin Cathedral is a masterpiece of German organ building. 7,269 pipes, distributed across 113 stops, are controlled from the historic pneumatic console from 1905 — a technical rarity, as most large organs of this size were converted to electric action in the 20th century. Built by Wilhelm Sauer from Frankfurt (Oder), it is considered one of Europe's most important symphonic organs. Its sound — broad, full, with massive pedal power and subtle string stops — is equally suited for Bach and Reger, for Franck and Vierne, for Messiaen and contemporary improvisation.

The Organ Summer — International Soloists' Podium

The International Organ Summer at Berlin Cathedral was launched in 2006. Since then, the Cathedral has invited international organists every July and August on nine Friday evenings at 8 PM — from established concert soloists to emerging talents. The programs are thematically focused: Mozart and the Universe, Bach and Messiaen, Symphonic and Fantastic, Heavenly Keyboard. The 21st edition runs in 2026 with organists from Germany, France, Poland, Norway, Japan, and Switzerland. A video projection of the organist at the console is shown during the concert — allowing the audience, who normally only hears the organ, to also see the performance.

Berlin Classical Summer

In the state of Berlin, the Organ Summer is part of a broad classical summer offering — alongside the Musikfest Berlin (September), Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt (July), the Festspiele im Schloss Charlottenburg, and the Organ Summer at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Those who want to experience the full spectrum can put together a complete concert tour marathon with a Berlin Classical Card in midsummer.