What a lot the church music director Manuel Gera had to offer on his day off. From the smallest organ in the world to what used to be the largest in the world, everything was there. He played us Bach and Mendelssohn in variations never heard before. Today was all about organ music. Our main church in Hamburg, St. Michaelis, has a total of five of them. We city and church guides were able to listen to four of them today in all their splendor and diversity. The concert organ, formerly known as the “Hülfsorgel” for orchestra and choir, the large organ with over 6,600 pipes and the Fernwerk, whose pipes are arranged in the roof above the large organ, can be operated from the central console – today all via state-of-the-art computer technology with Wi-Fi. The virtuoso also let the Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach organ resound. He has proudly held this position for over 14 years and spends a lot of time trying out the seemingly endless possibilities offered by the “Michel”. He can also play entire pieces using only his feet. St. Michael’s Church is a must on every Hamburg Highlights tour and although we Hamburg tour guides often see the organs and talk about them, we were able to continue our training today, as the new additions from last year were also presented: By their own admission, they all belong to the “Boys ‘n Toys” category. For example, the extended cymbal star and the real bells in the large organ, the crescendo roll in the concert organ and the inverted pipes that flow into water in the Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach organ. Church music has always played an important role at St. Michael’s. See for yourself and listen to the organs, at the Mutragsandacht daily at 12 noon, or let the organ point work its magic on you, on Saturdays at 12 noon. Either way, take a closer look at the Michel and listen to it. With a certified tour guide in Hamburg – like me, of course. I look forward to seeing you!
