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The first mention in text of an organ dates back to 1480. Before the Reformation, the organ was not played during church service, but only during vesper. Because during the Reformation, vespers were replaced by «prophezey» (bible study), the organ was no longer played after 1524 and was dismantled in 1527.
In 1876 – 349 years later – Nepomuk Kuhn built a new organ to be placed on the western gallery of Grossmünster. Ever since, the organ is played during church service and concerts. Todays Metzler organ (since 1960) is internationally renowned for its transparent timbre and audibly polyphone sound.
The organ is played in the beginning and end of church service and while the congregation sings. Every summer and autumn, Grossmünster invites acclaimed organists from all around the world for international concert cycles. The Grossmünster organ is also played by students of the Zurich Hochschule der Künste during their vocational training.
Source: Die Zürcher Altstadtkirchen. Eine Stadtgeschichte entlang der Sakralbauten. Yves Baer, Francois G. Baer, NZZ Libro, 2019
2010 – Label Mobilton
Brahms, Bach, Franck, Schumann
2010 – Label Günter Lade
Heiller, Bach, Isoir, Scheidt, Rogg, Alain
2013 (released 2014) – Label Priory Records
Buxtehude, Bach, Schönberg, Vollenweider
All CDs are available at the reception.
The 2013-recording is also available on Spotify.
Would you like to hear a concert at Grossmünster?
Find all concerts in the calendar (German).