Music in St. Mary's Church Rostock
Concerts and devotions on the grand Friese organ
About Music in St. Mary's Church
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Profile
St. Mary's Church Rostock, with its 86-meter-high brick Gothic architecture, is not only the largest parish church in the Hanseatic city but also houses the Friese-III organ (5,700 pipes, 83 stops across four manuals and pedal), one of the most significant North German organ instruments. The parish's musical work extends far beyond Sunday services: KMD Karl-Bernhardin Kropf leads a year-round program of concerts, devotions, and organ vespers.
Programmatic Focus
Highlights include the Good Friday devotion "Music for the Hour of Jesus' Death" featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, the annual Choral Evensong (the 32nd in 2026), and midday organ concerts and organ vespers in the summer. Additionally, organists from the Baltic Sea region and North German choirs and soloists regularly perform in the church. Admission is mostly free, with a collection requested for church music.
Local Context
St. Mary's Church stands in the heart of Rostock's Old Town, a few steps from the New Market and the Town Hall. It is also home to the famous astronomical clock (1472), which strikes every midday with an apostles' procession. The high altar is undergoing restoration until the end of 2026; scaffolding covers part of the altar but does not affect concert operations.
Music in St. Mary's Church — edition 2026
In 2026, St. Mary's Church will offer a year-round program of concerts, liturgy, and organ music. Good Friday, April 3, at 3:00 PM, the devotion "Music for the Hour of Jesus' Death" opens with Bach works (KMD Karl-Bernhardin Kropf, Friese organ, choral intonations by choir members, free admission). Pentecost weekend, May 30, at 5:00 PM, the 32nd Choral Evensong follows. During the season from May to mid-October, the midday devotion from Monday to Saturday at 11:30 AM is framed by an organ vespers — afterwards, the organ can be briefly viewed at 11:55 AM. Further concerts and organ tours complement the program; they will be announced a few weeks in advance.
Programme Music in St. Mary's Church 2026
Holy Week and Easter 2026
- April 3 (Good Friday), 3:00 PM — Music for the Hour of Jesus' Death, works by Johann Sebastian Bach, KMD Karl-Bernhardin Kropf (organ), Choir (free admission, collection)
Pentecost 2026
- May 30 (Pentecost Saturday), 5:00 PM — 32nd Choral Evensong in the English tradition
Season May–October 2026
- Mon–Sat, 11:30 AM — Midday devotion with organ vespers
- Mon–Sat, 11:55 AM — Organ tour (short)
Advent and Christmas Season 2026
- Concerts for the 1st–4th Advent, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve devotion — program to be announced in autumn
Highlights Music in St. Mary's Church 2026
- Good Friday Bach on the Friese-III organ
- 32nd Choral Evensong in May
- Main organ with 5,700 pipes
- Daily organ vespers in summer, free
Prices Music in St. Mary's Church 2026
Most devotions and organ vespers are free. Admission is charged for selected concerts (special guests, choirs); donations for church music are always welcome.
Practical information — Music in St. Mary's Church
Getting There
From Rostock Central Station, take tram 5 or 6 to Neuer Markt, then a three-minute walk.
Admission
Good Friday devotion and midday organ concerts are free (collection). Choral Evensong and larger concerts may have an admission fee — program details on marienkirche-rostock.de.
Organ Tours
A short tour of the organ is available during the season (May to mid-October) Monday to Saturday at 11:55 AM, following the midday devotion.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Music in St. Mary's Church
St.-Marien-Kirche Rostock
Bei der Marienkirche 1, 18055 Rostock