Pentecost Concert in St. Mary's Cathedral Fürstenwalde

St. Mary's Cathedral — Brandenburg Brick Gothic in Fürstenwalde

St. Mary's Cathedral Fürstenwalde is one of Brandenburg's most important brick hall churches and the landmark of the city of Fürstenwalde/Spree (Oder-Spree district). Founded as a cathedral church in the 14th century, the cathedral was rebuilt several times and severely damaged in 1945 — reconstruction took decades. Today, the cathedral is the liturgical center of the Protestant Parish Fürstenwalde and a concert venue with excellent acoustics. The annual Pentecost Concert is one of the musical highlights of the parish.

Brass Choir and Cathedral Choir — Established Church Music Tradition

The Cathedral Choir and the Brass Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral are two pillars of church music in Fürstenwalde. Both ensembles work on a voluntary basis, with rehearsals throughout the year, and shape festive services as well as concerts. The Pentecost Concert combines the timbres of both ensembles: choral arrangements, brass chorales, antiphonal singing, and festive works of Protestant church music.

Pentecost in Church Music — A Program with Tradition

Pentecost — the feast of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — is one of the three main festivals of the Christian Church, alongside Christmas and Easter. In the Protestant church music tradition, Pentecost is one of the festivals celebrated with special musical effort: works such as 'Komm, Heiliger Geist' (Come, Holy Spirit), festive brass chorales, and choral music from the Reformation and Bach eras shape the repertoire. The program in Fürstenwalde builds on this tradition.

Fürstenwalde on the Spree — Hanseatic City with Cathedral History

Fürstenwalde is located on the Spree River, in the Oder-Spree district, about 60 kilometers east of Berlin. In the Middle Ages, the city was a Hanseatic city and the seat of the Diocese of Lebus — hence the outstanding cathedral construction. Today, Fürstenwalde is a vibrant medium-sized city with its own cultural scene. The cathedral, with its church music program — Pentecost, Christmas, and summer concerts, organ matinees — is a central attraction for cultural enthusiasts from the region.