Visit Matsumoto

May 1987 (Showa 62). An organ manufactured by Rudolf von Beckerat in Hamburg, Germany, arrived in Matsumoto after a long journey.

To ensure the instrument was perfectly suited to the Main Hall’s renowned “2-second reverberation” acoustics, skilled craftsmen spent approximately four months installing and voicing it. The debut concert for the public was held on October 6, 1987—exactly two years after the hall opened. It is a one-of-a-kind organ, tailored specifically to the spatial and acoustic design of the Music Culture Hall.

Since then, this organ has enriched the hall’s concert program with a diverse array of performances, including “Melody Christmas,” “Chat Concerts,” “Bach Organ Special,” and “Evening Organ.” Alongside performances by numerous organists active both domestically and internationally, it has been widely accessible to the public through various workshops and has been preserved and passed down as a cherished asset of the hall.Starting in fiscal year 2024, the hall is weaving a new chapter in its history with a two-person team consisting of Hall Organist Yukiko Yamada and Resident Organist Junko Kobayashi.

This December, marking the 39th anniversary of its inaugural performance, this “Beckelart Organ” will undergo its first major overhaul since its installation. This extensive project involves removing all 3,121 pipes and completely replacing the aging electrical wiring. Please look forward to the organ-related events planned for its 40th anniversary, which will take place following the completion of the overhaul.

The CD *A Milestone in My Organ Life* captures the “current sound” of this organ as it reaches this milestone. It features a collection of German Romantic works that bring out the full charm of the “Beckelart Organ of Matsumoto.”

This organ recital serves as a “culmination” of the sounds the Beckelart organ has woven over the past 40 years, performed just before the overhaul.

We would be delighted if you could join us in witnessing this moment.