Parish Schmelz Hl. Barbara
Concert series „Music in St. Marien“
Choir and instrumental concert on Sunday, August 23, 2026, 5:00 p.m. with Pavol Valášek and the Stephanus Ensemble
On Sunday, 08/23, lovers of church music can look forward to a special concert.
The Slovak organist Pavol Valášek will perform together with the Stephanus Ensemble a varied program with works by prominent composers.
Pavol Valášek studied in Slovakia as well as in Saarbrücken, where he completed his master's degree with distinction under Andreas Rothkopf. Masterclasses and competitions, as well as collaboration with orchestras, enrich his activity, which he currently pursues in Oberstdorf. With his virtuosic and at the same time sensitive playing, he repeatedly fascinates his audience.
The Stephanus Ensemble was founded in 2022 by Gabi Fröhlich. Its goal is to work on and perform especially extraordinary sacred choral music in services and concerts. Thus, for example, more recent choral works by Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo, Maurice Duruflé, as well as classical works by Mendelssohn and Rheinberger are part of the ensemble's repertoire.
In St. Marien, Pavol Valášek will interpret works on the French-Romantic Mayer organ, including pieces by Louis Vierne (Fantasy pieces: Hymn to the Sun, Moonlight) and Johann Sebastian Bach. The festive conclusion will be the famous Toccata by Charles-Marie Widor, one of the best-known works of Romantic organ literature.
Between the organ pieces, the Stephanus Ensemble will perform choral works by, among others, Knut Nystedt (Laudate Dominum), Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt), and Mark Hayes (Cantate Domino). The combination of virtuosic organ music and sophisticated choral singing promises an evening concert full of musical highlights. The special acoustics of the church St. Marien provide the ideal setting for this and let the works shine in their full acoustic beauty.
Admission is free, donations requested.
