International organ concerts in Freiburg Minster

This series of organ concerts has been an integral part of Freiburg's summer cultural life for over 90 years. The unique organ installation in the wonderful space of the cathedral is a magnet for outstanding international performers and organ enthusiasts from all over the world. The symbiosis of space and sound inspires and fascinates performers and listeners alike - creating very special sound experiences and thrilling concert experiences.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Fantasy and Fugue in G minor BWV 542

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
"Mein junges Leben hat ein End" SwWV 34

Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)
From: Il secondo libro di toccate
Quinta Toccata sopra i pedali per l'organo e senza

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
Overture to "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg"
Arrangement: Edwin H. Lemare

Thierry Escaich (*1965)
Evocation IV

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Suite op. 5
Prélude
Sicilienne
Toccata

David Kiefer, born in Gengenbach in 1996, has been studying church music, school music and concert exams in organ/organ improvisation at the University of Music in Freiburg im Breisgau since 2015 with Martin Schmeding, Matthias Maierhofer, Vincent Dubois (organ), David Franke (improvisation) and Morten Schuldt-Jensen (conducting), among others. Further studies took him to the "Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris" and the "Conservatoire de Toulouse", where he studied the French organ repertoire in depth with Olivier Latry and Michel Bouvard.
David Kiefer has been active as an organist in Ortenau since 2011 and was organist at the Ahrend organ in Mahlberg Castle Church from 2021 to 2023, as well as regularly filling in at services in Freiburg Minster. Since January 1, 2024, he has been assistant to the cathedral organist at Cologne Cathedral and teaches organ/organ improvisation at the Freiburg University of Music.
He is a prizewinner and finalist in international organ competitions: 2018 1st prize Maria Hofer organ competition Kitzbühel, 2021 2nd prize organ competition Dudelange (Luxembourg), 2022 finalist organ improvisation competition Haarlem (Netherlands), 1st prize at the Prix international d'orgue Boëllmann-Gigout Strasbourg, 2024 2nd prize Bach competition Wiesbaden, 2nd prize Bach competition Wiesbaden, 2nd prize organ improvisation competition Wiesbaden. Prize Bach Competition Wiesbaden, 2nd Prize Organ Improvisation Competition "Anton Bruckner" Linz, 2nd Prize Organ Competition Korschenbroich, 2nd Prize Organ Improvisation Competition Cologne, 3rd Prize and Petr Eben Prize at the Petr Eben Competition Opava (CZE).
For the 2016/2017 academic year, David Kiefer was awarded the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship for outstanding achievements in his studies, and in April 2017 he was also accepted for funding from the Cusanuswerk Episcopal Study Foundation. In 2024, he received the "Prize for
outstanding artistic achievements in the concert exam course" from the Society for the Promotion of the College of Music Freiburg.
David Kiefer gives concerts in Germany and abroad, including in the Church of St. Eustache in Paris, the Sainte Chapelle de Versailles, Freiburg Cathedral and at the "Toulouse les orgues" festival.

Copyright: Silvia Schillinger-Teschner