UPDATE: The iconic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague is on the verge of a musical renaissance as installation of a magnificent new organ nears completion. This monumental project promises to bestow a fitting voice upon the 700-year-old architectural marvel, the largest temple in the Czech Republic.
As of Tuesday, an international team was diligently working on a three-story scaffolding above the main entrance, installing the final pipes of the organ. The project is scheduled to conclude in late August 2024, followed by extensive voicing and tuning throughout the year. The public can anticipate the organ’s inaugural sounds on June 15, 2024, coinciding with the feast of St. Vitus, officials confirm.
This remarkable organ features 6,000 pipes of varying lengths, from a mere 0.28 inch to an impressive 23 feet. Crafted by the renowned Spanish organ builder Gerhard Grenzing, who has an impressive portfolio of nearly 140 organs constructed worldwide, this four-manual instrument is set to elevate religious services and concerts held at the cathedral.
Once assembled in Spain, the organ was meticulously disassembled and transported piece by piece to Prague. This ambitious effort is not just a restoration of sound but a revival of cultural heritage. St. Vitus Cathedral is deeply intertwined with Czech statehood, having been the coronation and burial site for Czech kings, as well as the storage location for the Czech crown jewels.
The previous organ, completed in the early 1930s, proved inadequate for the cathedral’s vast space and suffered frequent breakdowns. Efforts to repair it were neglected during World War II and throughout more than 40 years of communist rule. The campaign to construct a new organ began in 2017, fueled by a crowdfunding initiative that successfully raised over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering about 98 percent of the total cost needed.
This transformative project signifies more than just a musical addition; it represents a cultural awakening for the Czech Republic, inspiring local pride and international interest. As the completion date approaches, local residents and visitors alike eagerly await the chance to experience the revitalized sounds of this historic space.
Stay tuned for updates as the final touches are made to this monumental organ, and prepare to witness a significant chapter in the cathedral’s storied history come to life in just a few months.
