Sixty Years of the Berlin Philharmonie Organ

Berliner Philharmoniker Our partner Deutsche Bank

A deep view of gleaming metal organ pipes set in a wooden frame, with the modern ceiling of the Berlin Philharmonie above, featuring geometric white panels and circular lights. — Picture: Heribert Schindler

The Philharmonie organ is not just an acoustic marvel. It is also an aesthetic delight. Its design is an elegant and expressive reflection of the auditorium's architecture. It has more than 6,500 pipes, allowing it to produce an almost infinite range of tone colours. In November, this unique instrument will be sixty years old. We are celebrating this anniversary with a late-night concert, and it will also be shown off to magnificent effect at a concert with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Our subscription series of organ recitals will additionally mark this anniversary.

Until the end of December, you can learn more about this special instrument in an exhibition in the foyer. Admission is free for concertgoers.

A large pipe organ with numerous shiny metal pipes is mounted at the front of a modern concert hall, with empty wooden seats and a white ceiling featuring geometric designs. — Picture: Heribert Schindler

Lukas Hasler in a white shirt rests his chin on his hands, which are resting on the wooden console of an organ. The organ keys and stop buttons are visible next to him.

Sun 22 March 2026, 11:00 Main Auditorium

Organ matinee

Lukas Hasler organ
Alois Mühlbacher countertenor

Works by
Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler and Louis Vierne

Anton Bruckner
Symphony in D minor “Nullte”: 3rd Movement Scherzo (arr. for organ by Erwin Horn)

Anton Bruckner
Ave Maria (arr. for voice and organ by Lukas Hasler)

Alois Mühlbacher countertenor

Gustav Mahler
Fünf Lieder nach Texten von Friedrich Rückert (arr. for voice and organ by Lukas Hasler)

Alois Mühlbacher countertenor

Louis Vierne
Organ Symphony No. 2 in E minor, op. 20: 1st Movement Allegro

Louis Vierne
Organ Symphony No. 2 in E minor, op. 20: 3rd Movement Scherzo

Louis Vierne
Organ Symphony No. 2 in E minor, op. 20: 5th Movement Final

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Richard Gowers in a black suit sits on a minimalist, block-like staircase in front of a simple background with a gentle light-dark colour gradient. His hands rest in his lap and he looks directly at the camera.

Sun 07 June 2026, 11:00 Main Auditorium

Organ matinee

Richard Gowers organ
Blechbläserensemble der Berliner Philharmoniker
Jakub Hrůša conductor

Works by
Richard Strauss, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Miloslav Kabeláč

Richard Strauss
Festive Prelude, op. 61 (arr. for organ and large brass ensemble by Richard Gowers)

Blechbläserensemble der Berliner Philharmoniker, Jakub Hrůša conductor

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Fantasia for mechanical Organ in F minor, K. 608

Johann Sebastian Bach
Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 (arr. for organ by Max Reger)

Miloslav Kabeláč
Symphony No. 3 for Organ, Brass and Timpani, op. 33

Blechbläserensemble der Berliner Philharmoniker, Jakub Hrůša conductor

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