International organ concerts in Freiburg Minster

This series of organ concerts has been an integral part of Freiburg's summer cultural life for over 90 years. The unique organ installation in the wonderful space of the cathedral is a magnet for outstanding international performers and organ enthusiasts from all over the world. The symbiosis of space and sound inspires and fascinates performers and listeners alike - creating very special sound experiences and thrilling concert experiences.

ORGANIC PROVISIONS

Prelude with fugue in German Baroque style

Hommage à Franz Lehrndorfer - Variations on a given chorale

Mass improvisée to Marian chants:
Entrée "Ave maris stella"
Offertoire "Alma redemptoris mater"
Communion "Ave Regina coelorum"
Sortie "Regina coeli laetare"

Three Byzantine sketches on psalm words, after chants by Dimitri Terzakis
1. "Hear me when I call, God of my righteousness, who comforts me in anguish." (Psalm 4)
2. "Be satisfied again, my soul, for the Lord will do you good, and I will walk in the land of the living." (Psalm 116)
3. "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a dry land." (Psalm 143)

Romantic Sonata in three movements
Allegro in memoriam Dietrich Bonhoeffer ("Von guten Mächten ..." - melody by Otto Abel)
Andante
Toccata

Thomas Lennartz studied organ, church music, school music and German studies in Hanover, Cologne and Leipzig as well as organ improvisation at the Conservatoire in Paris. He completed his studies - church music A examination, concert examination in organ and 1st state examination for teaching at grammar schools - with distinction. Important teachers were Ullrich Bremsteller, Arvid Gast, Thierry Escaich and Loïc Mallié. Master classes with Wolfgang Seifen, Daniel Roth, Olivier Latry, Ton Koopmann and others complemented his training.
Lennartz was a scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and won prizes at several competitions: Fugato-Festival Bad Homburg, where he was awarded 1st prize and audience prize, at the Hermann Schröder Competition, at the competition for organ improvisation in church services and at the international competitions for organ improvisation in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Saarbrücken Orgues sans frontières and St. Albans/England.
After five years as a regional cantor at the Basilica of St. Martin in Bingen am Rhein and as a lecturer in organ at the University of Music in Mannheim, Lennartz was appointed cathedral organist at the Cathedral of St. Trinitatis (formerly Hofkirche) in Dresden in 2008 and took up a teaching position at the Dresden University of Church Music in 2009. Since 2014, Lennartz has been Professor of Organ Improvisation and Liturgical Organ Playing and Director of the Institute of Church Music at the College of Music
and Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" in Leipzig. Thomas Lennartz pursues an extensive concert career, which has taken him to many important instruments in Germany, numerous European countries, the USA and Japan.

Copyright: Thomas Lennartz