
The Arp Schnitger Academy
August 3-8, 2025
Multi-day masterclasses with Hans Davidsson, a leading expert in the music of the North German Baroque
and workshops on keyboard technique and basso continuo with Ulrika Davidsson, Andreas Edlund and Camille Bloche
Behind the scenes from the Arp Schnitger Academy 2024. Film by Jon Liinason.
THE ARP SCHNITGER ACADEMY
August 3-8, 2025
Dieterich Buxtehude and Matthias Weckman & Continuo Playing on a Large Meantone Organ
In 2000, the North German Baroque organ in Örgryte New Church, constructed in the style of Arp Schnitger (1648–1719)—one of the most significant organ builders in history—was inaugurated. Arp Schnitger, active in Northern Germany, constructed over 150 organs. He was the first truly international organ builder, combining top-tier craftsmanship and sound quality with a larger production of instruments than any of his predecessors.
The distinctive Baroque organ in Örgryte New Church was constructed as a research project by organ builders from twelve countries, in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. Designed in Schnitger’s style, it serves as the focal point of the annual Arp Schnitger Academy (ASA). This international academy welcomes a limited number of participants who will study organ playing on the Baroque organ in Örgryte New Church under the guidance of Hans Davidsson.
The 2025 Arp Schnitger Academy will focus on organ music by Dieterich Buxtehude and Matthias Weckman, as well as continuo playing on a large meantone organ.
ACADEMY PROGRAM
- Daily workshops featuring organ works from the repertoire list.
- Presentations on various performance aspects (registration, rhetoric, accentuation, fingering, gesture, etc.).
- Daily lecture-demonstrations on selected organ works by Dieterich Buxtehude and Matthias Weckman.
- Workshops on continuo on a large meantone organ with Andreas Edlund.
- Workshops on keyboard technique (primarily clavichord) with Camille Bloche.
- Scheduled practice time on the meantone organs in Örgryte New Church (Arvidsson/van Eeken/Yokota 2000), Haga Church (Brombaugh 1992), and related keyboard instruments.
- Participants’ concerts in Örgryte New Church and Morlanda Church.
REPERTOIRE LIST
- Free choice of works by Dieterich Buxtehude.
- Matthias Weckman: Chorale-based and free works.
- Free choice of works from the North German organ school (e.g., Sweelinck, Scheidemann, Tunder, G. Böhm, Lübeck).
PARTICIPATION
The Arp Schnitger Academy is an international academy with a limited number of participants, capped at ten. Only active participants will be considered for acceptance. The academy primarily targets advanced organ students and professional organists, aiming to provide an inspirational event. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accept all applications.
APPLICATION
Please submit your application to
camille.bloche@organacademy.se by June 15, 2025, indicating your interest in the Arp Schnitger Academy 2025 and including a brief CV. All applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 25, 2025.
We eagerly anticipate six days of inspiration at the unique North German Baroque organ in Örgryte New Church. Connect with colleagues from around the world in one of the premier international organ centers. Enjoy the Swedish West Coast, Gothenburg (Sweden’s second-largest city), and its stunning archipelago.
We warmly invite you to attend the Arp Schnitger Academy 2025 and look forward to seeing you in Göteborg!
FEE
4,200 SEK
VENUES
Lennart Svegelius väg 10, 412 74 Göteborg
Herrgårdsgatan 2, 412 74 Göteborg
Haga Kyrkoplan, 411 23 Göteborg
TRANSPORTATION
For local transportation, visit:
SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 3
19:00–20:00
Organ recital at Örgryte New Church
Performers: Hans Davidsson and Camille Bloche
Monday, August 4
9:00–11:30
Introduction to the North German Baroque organ in Örgryte New Church
Exploration of Matthias Weckman’s Musicus Perfectus and organ registrations
Introduction to the free works of Dieterich Buxtehude
11:30–13:00
Lunch break
13:00–14:30
Introduction to clavichord playing at Örgryte Parish House
15:00–16:30
Basso continuo workshop
17:00–18:00
Organ workshop at Haga Church
Tuesday, August 5
9:00–11:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
11:30–13:00
Lunch break
13:00–14:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
Clavichord coaching at Örgryte Parish House
15:00–16:30
Basso continuo workshop
Wednesday, August 6
9:00–11:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
11:30–12:30
Lunch break
12:30–19:30
Excursion to Morlanda
Workshop at Morlanda Church
Participants’ concert at Morlanda Church
Thursday, August 7
9:00–11:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
11:30–13:00
Lunch break
13:00–14:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
Clavichord coaching at Örgryte Parish House
15:00–16:30
Basso continuo workshop
Friday, August 8
9:00–11:30
Organ workshop at Örgryte New Church
11:30–13:00
Lunch break
13:00–17:00
Preparation for participants’ concert
19:00–20:30
Participants’ concert at Örgryte New Church
COLLABORATION
The Arp Schnitger Academy is organized in close collaboration with the parishes of Örgryte and Haga.
CONTACT
Hans Davidsson: +46-72 323 52 42
hans.davidsson@organacademy.se
Camille Bloche: +46-73 426 80 19
Teachers
Hans Davidsson
Ulrika Davidsson
Andreas Edlund
Camille Bloche
Introduction videos
Hans Davidsson
(playlist comprising 7 separate videos)
Ulrika Davidsson
Andreas Edlund
Camille Bloche
Surface Mail
GIOA c/o Hans Davidsson
Klövervägen 17
475 37 Bohus-Björkö
A World of Tactile Passion and New Sounds - for All!
© 2025 Göteborg International Organ Festival & Göteborg International Organ Academy
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