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Darmstadt Barrel Organ Orchestra plays benefit concert in the city church
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 6 p.m., the Darmstadt Barrel Organ Orchestra to an extraordinary concert at Darmstadt City Church . Under the motto "Pearls of Classical Music – from 450 Barrel Organ Pipes," the ensemble will present works by twelve composers from the fields of symphony, opera, operetta, and musicals – this time with the unmistakable sound of the barrel organ.
The benefit concert is being held to benefit the modernization of the church's large organ. While it is often referred to as the "queen of instruments," the little "barrel organ princesses" want to demonstrate that they, too, can impressively fill the church space. The program includes soulful pieces by Bach and Vivaldi , rhythmic works by Grieg and Mozart , and Bach's famous Toccata in D minor . The grand finale will be Smetana's "Moldau ," in which the barrel organs even imitate the sounds of rapids and thunder.
About the Barrel Organ Orchestra
The Darmstadt Barrel Organ Orchestra was founded in 1998 by Sabine Thoma and Peter Suchantke . Inspired by the possibilities of polyphonic playing, they expanded the ensemble to include additional instruments. In the barrel organ scene, a group is only considered an orchestra if at least three specially coordinated instruments play polyphonic arrangements. Christian Möller from Hannoversch Münden is responsible for the arrangements.
The orchestra plays instruments with a range of up to four octaves and up to five registers—the true "experts" of the ensemble. In addition to the founders, Anne Trapp and K.-H. (Kalle) Trapp part of the ensemble. There are currently only five barrel organ ensembles worldwide that perform in this form.
Concert information
- Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM (Box office opens at 5:15 PM)
- Location: Darmstadt City Church
- Program: Works by Beethoven, Haydn, Pachelbel, Rossini and others
- Tickets: 15 euros plus advance booking fee
- Advance booking: www.stadtkirche-darmstadt.de Kirche & Co., Darmstadt-Shop in the Luisencenter and at the box office
- (Darmstadt - red)
