Konzertsommer Schlosskirche Erxleben — Klangpracht

A Village Church with a Special Voice

Erxleben in the Börde district (state of Saxony-Anhalt) appears from the outside like a quiet village in the Altmark region, near the border with Lower Saxony. However, the village's castle church holds a cultural treasure: the Herbst organ. This instrument, built by organ builder Carl Heinrich Herbst (1810-1883), is one of the significant monuments of Central German organ-building art. It is the true star of the annual concert summer.

2026 — "Klangpracht" as the Program

Under the motto "Klangpracht" (Splendor of Sound), the 2026 season is dedicated to the sonic possibilities of this instrument. The concert series opens on May 10th with Christopher Wisniewski, who will present a program featuring works by Samuel Scheidt, Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, French Baroque masters, and contemporary compositions. A highlight in July is "Concert Royal" with baroque oboe and organ – music from Saxon castle churches. The season concludes on September 20th with "Soprano Meets Organ" featuring Theresa Klose and Christian von Gehren.

Between Support Association and Art Foundation

The concerts are organized by the Förderkreis Schlosskirche Erxleben e.V. (Erxleben Castle Church Support Association), which has been dedicated to the preservation of the church and the restoration of the organ for years. The concert summer is supported by the Art Foundation of the State of Saxony-Anhalt – a program that specifically promotes concert series in unusual rural locations. The concerts are designed as Sunday afternoon events: acoustics like a small concert hall, atmosphere like a family visit.

Erxleben and the Magdeburger Börde

The Börde district encompasses the fertile agricultural landscape west of Magdeburg – one of Germany's most productive agricultural regions. Erxleben is located on the western edge of the district, near the border with Lower Saxony, and is part of the municipality of Westliche Börde. Visitors to the concert summer can easily combine the listening experience with a tour of the historic market towns of Haldensleben and Oschersleben or an excursion to the nearby Ummendorf Castle.