Festival International d'Orgue de Masevaux

A festival born from the renaissance of the organs

The history of the Festival International d'Orgue de Masevaux is intimately linked to that of the church in this small town at the foot of the Vosges. On June 27, 1966, a fire ravaged part of the building. The reconstruction was accompanied by an ambitious project: to equip the church with two exceptional organs. The choir organ, built by the Strasbourg-based organ builder Curt Schwenkedel, was completed in 1972. The grand organ, the work of master Alfred Kern, was inaugurated in 1975. Two years later, in 1977, Pierre Chevreau founded the festival to promote these remarkable instruments far beyond the Alsatian borders.

Nearly fifty years of musical excellence

For almost half a century, the Festival International d'Orgue de Masevaux has offered a series of six concerts every summer, spread from July to September. The programming, of constant artistic rigor, invites internationally renowned organists to perform on the church's two instruments. Among the performers who have marked the history of the festival are organists holding positions in major institutions such as the Chapelle royale de Versailles, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, or the French Church in Bern. Each concert is an opportunity to discover the organ from a different angle: solo, in dialogue with other instruments, or accompanying vocal ensembles.

A repertoire between tradition and boldness

The festival is distinguished by the eclecticism of its programming. While baroque music and the sacred repertoire naturally hold a prominent place, the festival also opens up to romantic and contemporary music, dialogues between the organ and unexpected instruments—trumpets, string quintets, percussion—and the most daring forms such as improvisation matches pitting two organists against each other. This open-mindedness allows it to reach an audience that goes far beyond the circle of traditional organ lovers, attracting curious music lovers and holidaymakers in the Vosges.

Masevaux-Niederbruck, a setting between nature and heritage

The festival benefits from the enchanting setting of Masevaux-Niederbruck, a charming commune located in the Doller Valley, at the gateway to the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park. The church, with its generous acoustics and two complementary organs, offers an ideal setting for music. Festival-goers can take advantage of their visit to discover the hiking trails of the Hautes-Vosges, the valley's mining heritage, and the traditional Alsatian gastronomy of the surrounding farm inns. A concert at the Festival d'Orgue de Masevaux is also an opportunity for a refreshing getaway far from the urban hustle and bustle.