300 Years Vater-Müller Organ: Organ Marathon

17 October 2026

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Seven leading concert organists perform on the anniversary Vater-Müller organ.

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The famous Vater-Müller organ celebrates its 300th anniversary this October. We are marking this special milestone with an organ marathon. On Saturday 17 October, you can listen to the birthday organ throughout the day. Seven leading concert organists will take their seats at the keyboard and perform a varied programme showcasing the rich and diverse tradition of organ music.

Programme
10:00 Matteo Imbruno (Titular Organist, Oude Kerk Amsterdam)
11:00 Winfried Bönig (Organist, Cologne Cathedral)
12:00 Henk Verhoef (Organist, Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam)
13:00 Margreeth de Jong (Organist, Nieuwe Kerk Middelburg)
14:00 Evan Bogerd (Cantor and Organist, Westerkerk Amsterdam)
15:00 Aart Bergwerff (Organist, Grote Kerk Breda)
16:00 Arjen Leistra (City Organist of Schiedam)
16:45 Matteo Imbruno

The Organ Marathon is organised in collaboration with Vox Humana.

Admission
The organ marathon is included with a valid admission ticket to the Oude Kerk. Admission to the Oude Kerk is free for holders of a Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP Card and the Stadspas.

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About the Vater-Müller Organ
For three hundred years, the Oude Kerk has been home to the Vater–Müller organ, one of the Netherlands' most important historic organs. The instrument was inaugurated in October 1726 and built by the renowned organ builder Christian Vater. It replaced the earlier Niehoff organ, which had been played by the celebrated composer and organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.In 1738, the Vater–Müller organ was enlarged by Johann Caspar Müller. A major restoration followed in 1870, carried out by Bätz & Co. under the direction of C.G.F. Witte. Witte's interventions also left a significant mark on the instrument, making it suitable for the performance of Romantic repertoire. Between 2015 and 2019, the organ was restored by the firm Reil. Throughout this restoration, the instrument's original character was carefully preserved.