Inauguration of new Rieger Organ in Vienna’s Stephansdom

It is a great honor to have been invited to play the first solo recital (Festkonzert) on the new, massive 130-stop “Riesenorgel” built by the Austrian firm Rieger Orgelbau.  Combined with the 55-stop Rieger “Chororgel,” listeners will be treated to a massive stereophonic ensemble of 185 stops in the glorious acoustics of Austria’s most important church.   Decades have passed since organ music has emanated from the main organ loft, but on Easter Sunday, 2020, the long-awaited, massive organ will be dedicated by the Archbishop Cardinal of Vienna.  The program I will perform on Easter Monday – an Austrian national holiday – will feature, among other works, the monumental “Chaconne in C-sharp” by 20th-century Austrian composer Franz Schmidt.