The Conversatorium has been organised since 1986. The festival popularises contemporary organ and chamber music and, above all, promotes young composers and performers. Its aim is to provide musicians and musicologists from Poland and abroad with opportunities for regular meetings and discussions about the latest organ compositions, to inspire composers to pursue new directions and experiments, and to popularise knowledge about high-class organs.

This year, the Legnica Organ Conversatorium will also have a symbolic dimension, as we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of the organ in the Evangelical Church of the Virgin Mary. Concerts will be held in this Legnica church.

“The first mention of the use of an organ in the Marian church dates back to 1414, while information from 1438 records that a new organ was built thanks to a foundation established by the mayor of Chojnów at the time. And here we are, 600 years later, still able to enjoy the sound of the instrument in this unique interior,” says Dr Michał Sławecki, Artistic Director of the Legnica Organ Conversatorium. “Today’s organ is the successor to Michael Röder’s instrument from 1735. It was thoroughly rebuilt in 1914 by K.G. Weigle of Stuttgart. As a result, a practically new instrument was created, set within a historic case, whose sound we admire today. This organ is extraordinary and inspiring, and the colour of its sound cannot be compared with that of any other instrument. This is confirmed by everyone who gets the opportunity to play it.”

The Conversatorium, of course, has some remarkable surprises in store. A year ago, we watched a contemporary dancer improvising to organ music in the church. This year, we will see animated films, among other things. During the “LAF Organ Vision” concert, organists will play to animations created by children during the Legnica Film Academy.

Another interesting Conversatorium event will be the nearly five-hour Mariacki Organ Marathon. It will be a concert performed by three young artists, during which listeners will be able to enter the choir loft and observe the playing of the century-old instrument up close. The marathon will be preceded by the National Academic Session entitled “The 100th Anniversary of the Organ in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Legnica: Issues of Organ Conservation and Reconstruction.”

Admission to all concerts and events of the 28th LCO is free. Details are available on the Legnica City Hall website.

LCK/UM Legnica/ii