MULTIMEDIA ORGAN EVENING | Bonelli

Performers: Benedikt Bonelli — organ

Program: Johann Sebastian Bach — Toccata in C Major BWV 564

William Byrd — The Queen's German

Bert Matter — Fantasy on “A Young Girl”

César Franck — Fantasy

Julius Reubke — Sonata “The 94th Psalm”

Benedikt Bonelli (b. 1971) organist, conductor, since 2009 he has been a choir conductor and organist at St. Lawrence's Basilica in Kempten while conducting a lively concert activity. He played a key role in the reconstruction of the ensemble of the three basilica organs (project implemented in 2019—2021) and directs the cycle of organ and choral concerts.

A native of Westphalia, Bonelli studied organ playing under Heribert Metzger at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and Peter Planyavsky at the Vienna University of Music, graduating with honors. He was also educated in harpsichord playing with Christian Rieger and Liselotte Brändle.

In 2018 he released the CD “Echoklänge”, recorded on the historical, late Romantic organ of the Hindelang company (from 1921) in Oberstaufen; in 2024 the album “Weihnachten in St. Lorenz” was released, presenting the sound of all three instruments of the basilica in Kempten.

He acquired his conducting skills while studying church music under the supervision of Erwin Ortner (Arnold Schönberg Choir in Vienna), Johannes Prinz (Musikverein in Vienna), Albert Anglberger and Hans-Joachim Rotzsch, former cantor of St. Thomas Choir in Leipzig. He also studied Gregorian chant with Josef Kohlhäufl and composition with Wolfgang Sauseng. He also works as a teacher of harmony and organ playing as part of the diocesan training program for church musicians.

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