BREAKING: The installation of a magnificent new organ at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague is rapidly approaching completion, ready to transform the acoustic landscape of this iconic structure, which stands as the largest temple in the Czech Republic. An international team is currently working above the main entrance, meticulously placing the final pipes on a three-story scaffolding. This critical work is expected to wrap up by late August 2023, with the voicing and tuning of the instrument continuing through the end of the year.
The public will have the chance to hear the organ’s inaugural sounds on June 15, 2024, coinciding with the feast of St. Vitus, according to cathedral officials. The new organ, featuring an impressive total of 6,000 pipes that range in size from 0.28 inches to a towering 23 feet, promises to elevate religious services and concerts to a whole new level.
Crafted by the esteemed organ builder Gerhard Grenzing in El Papiol, Spain, this four-manual instrument represents a significant investment in cultural heritage, having been constructed to meet the monumental dimensions of the cathedral. Once completed, the organ was carefully disassembled and transported to Prague in a series of truck deliveries.
This significant project began back in 2017 when a crowdfunding campaign successfully raised over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering nearly 98% of the funding required. The previous organ, installed in the early 1930s, proved inadequate for the cathedral’s grandeur and fell into disrepair, particularly during the tumultuous periods of World War II and over four decades of communist rule.
St. Vitus Cathedral is not only an architectural marvel but also a site of immense national pride, linked to the history of Czech statehood. It has been the venue for the coronation and burial of Czech kings and houses the nation’s crown jewels. The cathedral also hosted the funeral Mass for Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic, on December 23, 2011.
As the installation nears its conclusion, anticipation grows among the public and officials alike. The new organ is expected to enhance the spiritual and cultural experience within the cathedral, making it a focal point for music and worship in the heart of Prague.
Stay tuned for further updates as this historic installation progresses and the cathedral prepares to unveil its new voice to the world.
