The function of the church organ from today’s perspective

Since the service is a lively celebration and not merely an educational event, music and singing are given an important and essential role. The functions of the organ are, firstly, to support the assembled congregation in their singing, secondly, to lead them into singing, and thirdly, to encourage and lead them to meditation through independent playing—be it choral or free. This occurs in all services and is particularly deliberate in organ masses, where, at appropriate points in the service, the singing is introduced by independent organ compositions (e.g., entrance, thanksgiving song) or replaced (e.g., preparation of the gifts, communion). Such organ masses are performed regularly in the Votivkirche.

Secondly, it has a cultural function: preserving the vast treasure trove of organ music that has been created over the centuries and continues to be created. The Walcker organ plays a key role here, as it was built for a specific era (German High Romanticism) and, as one of the few large church organs of this period preserved in its original condition, can reproduce the organ compositions in the sound of that era. To this end, the Votivkirche hosts concerts with distinguished musicians from Germany and abroad.