The series of organ concerts at the Trinitatiskirche during Passion Week continues with one of the most⁣ versatile organ soloists of‍ the younger generation: Michael Bottenhorn. The‍ Bonn-based organist will ​perform at the Trinitatiskirche on Thursday, March 27th, at 7:30 PM. he has been playing as the ​age of eleven.‍ Following private lessons and C-level training, he ​studied church music at the Würzburg University of ⁢Music and organ‍ as‍ a concert subject⁣ at the‌ Stuttgart‌ University⁣ of Music. He ⁢says with a wink,“But as‍ a musician,especially as an organist,the training never really ends.”

A Love⁤ Affair with France⁤ and French Organ Music

bottenhorn’s deep affection for​ France and⁣ its⁢ organ music is ‌evident. He explains, “The love for France⁤ is not just in the music. As my first trips to France, I have been ‍fascinated by French culture and the way of life. And after I was able to play⁣ an organ by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in ⁣Saint-Etienne Caen for the ⁣first time, my love for ⁢French organ music was born and has remained to this day.”

Since 2012, alongside his intensive concert​ activities‍ at home and ‍abroad, his professional focus has⁢ been at ⁣St. Joseph’s‌ Church‍ in Bonn-Beuel. There stands a‍ special and large organ, and here instrument and organist ​seem to have found ‍each other in a⁢ special way: “The strength of the organ in Sankt Josef Bonn is that this organ was a risk in Germany in 1981,‍ but also an absolute ⁢pioneering achievement. this organ is​ not‌ a real ‍style copy, but bridges the gap into our time, especially with the choir organ and the mobile console. The instrument has a vrey strong personality; it is especially ⁣nice that‍ this organ can also ⁤sing in the mighty​ tutti. Not many instruments can do that!”

While March 27th marks ⁤Michael Bottenhorn’s first solo organ concert at the Trinitatiskirche, he is already a “musical regular” there. Bottenhorn notes, “My previous concerts in the Trinitatiskirche were in collaboration with cologne concert choirs such ​as the Bachverein or⁢ the Kartäuserkantorei.I was sometimes an accompanist on the chamber organ, but also ⁤partly accompanying, partly ​soloing on‌ the ⁢Klais organ. A‌ concert in⁢ May 2023 was particularly lovely, as ‍the electric console was brand new. This enables⁤ very intensive, communal music-making with​ the⁢ ensembles.”

“An organ​ Must Be ‍Versatile”

When asked about the character, possibilities, and limitations of the Trinitatiskirche⁤ organ, he responds, “An organ must always ⁣be considered‍ in connection with the ‍space in which it​ sounds. In the Trinitatiskirche, I⁢ find the Klais organ very well suited to the space. It is a ‘universal‍ organ’ in the best sense.⁤ Given the wide range of music in the Trinitatiskirche, an ⁢organ must also be very ⁤versatile, like good actresses and actors. As I said, the mobile⁣ console at the front is a great asset. The limitations –⁤ if any ‍– lie in the size of the room and the instrument. For ⁤larger works from ⁤the Romantic era or arrangements of orchestral works, a larger​ palette of foundation stops would​ be desirable. But this is complaining ‌at an extremely high level, especially since the organ was originally built for a church in Aachen.”

The program is entitled “,Carème’ ⁢– French Music for Passion.” What does this unusual and⁣ not ​universally understood title mean? “The current church season was the deciding factor. ‘Carème’ is the ‌French term for the period between Ash‍ Wednesday ​and Easter. Therefore, the title is not⁤ that unusual,” Bottenhorn explains.

The program includes not only virtuosic and beautiful works by Charles-Marie ⁢Widor,Jean Louis Florentz,gabriel Fauré,and Marcel Dupré,but⁣ also an improvisation by Michael Bottenhorn. When asked what kind of music ‌the ⁤audience ​can look forward to, Bottenhorn diplomatically replies:⁢ “If I‍ could describe it, it​ would have already moved from the realm of improvisation ⁤to that of composition… ⁣We can‍ look forward to music from the current mood in the concert. everything else will emerge on the concert evening.”

admission to ‍the concert on March 27th is – as always⁢ – free. The exact program of ‌the ⁣organ​ evening is available in the 2025 program booklet ‍of the Trinitatiskirche.