International Organ Summer Potsdam

A Concert Series on Potsdam's Finest Organs

The International Organ Summer Potsdam is the state capital's premier summer concert series dedicated to the queen of instruments. Organized by the cantorates of the Nikolaikirche and the Friedenskirche, the festival brings internationally acclaimed organists to the historic instruments in Potsdam's city center and World Heritage parks every Sunday. In 2026, featured instruments include the Great Nikolai Organ on Alter Markt — Potsdam's largest musical instrument —, the Friedenskirche in Sanssouci Park, the Erlöserkirche, the Französische Kirche, and the rebuilt Garnisonkirche.

The 2026 Season

The 2026 Organ Summer opens on Sunday, July 5, at the Erlöserkirche with a concert by Martin Baker from London (formerly Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral). This is followed by weekly Sunday concerts in various churches — each at 6 PM. Among the guest artists in 2026 are: Marc Fitze (Bern), Victoria Ulriksen (Oslo), Pavel Kohout (Prague), Jean-Baptiste Robin (Versailles, Court Organist at the Palace of Versailles), and Jean-Christophe Geiser (Lausanne Cathedral).

The Masterclass

Alongside the concert series, an international organ masterclass takes place. Young organists from around the world work under the guidance of renowned teachers to prepare programs for the three main instruments — Nikolai, Friedenskirche, and Erlöserkirche. The highlight is the weekend of September 3–6, 2026: masterclass participants will give short recitals in the Garnisonkirche and the Französische Kirche, before the closing concert in the Nikolaikirche on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 6 PM, brings the season to a festive conclusion.

Potsdam's Organ Landscape

The concert series benefits from Potsdam's exceptional density of historic organs. The Great Nikolai Organ (Schuke organ, reconstructed in the spirit of the original Wagner organ) and the Sauer organ of the Friedenskirche in Sanssouci Park are among Brandenburg's most significant concert organs. Added to this are the Mediterranean-inspired acoustics of the Erlöserkirche, the intimate Französische Kirche on Bassinplatz, and the newly consecrated Garnisonkirche at Tag- und Nachtschlössle. The festival thus also serves as an organ-building tour of the city.

A Tradition with History

The Organ Summer emerged from the fusion of two older concert series (Nikolaikirche and Friedenskirche) and quickly established itself as Potsdam's most important summer classical music destination. It holds a special position within the state of Brandenburg — no other city boasts a comparable combination of World Heritage architecture and high-quality organ concerts.