Haarlem Organ Festival
Next edition: 13-27 July 2024
Anders Bondeman deceased
We were saddened by the news that the Swedish organist Anders Bondeman passed away on 18 November 2022 at the age of 85. Bondeman was of invaluable importance to the contemporary art of organ improvisation.
See also our News page
Unique festival mug & poster!
Especially for the 54th edition of the Festival, the Harlem illustrator Eric J Coolen designed a beautiful poster and mug with the organ of the St. Bavo Church.
See for more information here.
Concert program is online!
The Haarlem Festival 2022 is coming to its end. But there is still a lot to enjoy in the last days of the festival!
This edition of the Haarlem Organ Festival will conclude with two presentation concerts on Friday evening and Saturday morning. On Friday 29 July at 8.15 pm the top talents from our Excellence Class will give a recital in the Cathedral Basilica of St.-Bavo. Go to the concert overview and buy one of the last tickets! On Saturday morning at 11 a.m., the best students at the Summer Academy will give a free presentation concert in the Grote or St.-Bavokerk.
A report about the 2022 Festival (in Dutch only) can be downloaded here.
What is the Haarlem International Summer Academy for Organists?
The Haarlem International Summer Academy for Organists was founded in 1955 and is therefore the oldest of its kind in the world! During the last 70 years the Academy grew from 4 teachers and 10 students to the largest Summerschool in the world. Now around 100-120 students from all over the world – even from China, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Corea, South Africa, United States of America, Chili, Syria... – travel to Haarlem each two years to attend masterclasses and study with the most distinguished organists of this time.
A very successful Young Talent Class has been part of the Academy since 2010, an unforgettable experience for the selected participants that for some was the beginning of a professional music education and even a starting career as a concert organist. From 2022, an Excellence Class will be launched for the most talented organists, selected by professors of former Summer Academies.
The focal point of the Summer Academy is undoubtedly the world-famous Christian Müller organ (1738) in St. Bavo's Church.
Improvisation Competition
20, 22 and 23 July 2022
The 2022 Improvisation Competition
Saturday July 23, the final of the 2022 Haarlem Improvisation Competition took place in the Grote of St.-Bavokerk. Unfortunately, the evening did not produce a winner.
The jury, chaired by the German organist and improviser Ansgar Wallenhorst, indicated that they expected more craftmanship, creativity and originality. In order to give a quality boost not only to the Haarlem improvisation competition, but also to the art of improvisation in general, the jurors decided not to award a Prize. Read more...