Where to listen to the organ in Moscow? 5 amazing places where concerts are held

What do you associate organ music with? As a rule, most people remember European Catholic cathedrals where the choir sings to the sound of this huge instrument. Exotica is not only abroad, although the organ is not very popular here. We have collected for you a selection of places where you can listen to such music in the capital.

Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

The church was built in 1903-1905 for the Russian Lutheran community, followers of Martin Luther, the “father” of the Reformation in Germany and around the world. From 2004 to 2010 active restoration works were carried out, and now the church is alive and fully open for parishioners. The organ is installed opposite the altar part, it was built in 1898, and in 2006 it was restored for the Lutheran cathedral. You can listen to it during services. They are held every Sunday at 11:30 and Thursday at 19:00.

Address: 7/10 Starosadsky Lane, Moscow.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 20:00.

Zaryadye Concert Hall

Almost three years ago, in February 2020, the inauguration of the Great Concert Organ, one of the largest in Europe, took place in the Zaryadye Concert Hall. It was a carefully thought-out project, realized not in a single day. The instrument was specially designed for the hall, and parts for it were delivered gradually. On the opening day, the organ was played non-stop for 24 hours by the best organists in the world, and as a result an application was even submitted for entry into the Guinness Book of Records. On the Zaryadya website you can buy tickets for both an organ tour and a full concert. Prices start from 300 rubles.

Address: Moscow, Varvarka St., 6, p. 4. 4.

Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 21:00.

Zaryadye Concert Hall

Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This neo-Gothic cathedral was founded in the late XIX century, and opened its doors to parishioners in 1911. The church is headed by Catholic Archbishop Paolo Pezzi and services are held daily. On the website of the cathedral you can buy tickets for concerts of organ music. Prices start from 700 rubles. But the most interesting thing is that you can also sign up for organ lessons on the website, the main teacher is Marina Omelchenko, titular organist of the cathedral.

Address: 27/13, Malaya Gruzinskaya Street, Moscow.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:15-20:00, Wed 7:15-19:00, Sat 7:15-20:00, Sun 7:30-21:00.

Museum of Music

The Russian Museum of Music is the place to get acquainted with some of the most inspiring inventions of mankind – musical instruments. The museum was founded in 1912, five years before the collapse of the monarchy. Now there are all sorts of exhibitions, guided tours, and the crown of the museum is, of course, organ concerts. The organ itself is the oldest in Russia, it was built in the distant 1868 by Friedrich Ladegast, a famous organ master of the Romanticism era. The instrument was restored, and now on Sundays concerts are held in the museum.

Address: 4, Fadeeva St., Moscow.

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 11:00-19:00, Thu-Fri 12:00-21:00, Sat 11:00-19:00, Sun 11:00-18:00.

Organ at the Museum of Music

St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral

This neo-Gothic building does not fit into the architectural ensemble of Moscow, but you cannot call it a disadvantage. St. Andrew’s Cathedral is the only Anglican church in the capital. The date of erection of this architectural monument is 1884. Now in the cathedral are constantly held concerts and musical evenings with the participation of the organ, the only nuance – the pleasure is not free. Tickets cost from 800 to 4200 rubles, depending on the repertoire.

Address: 8, Voznesensky Lane, Moscow.

Opening hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-16:30.