The International Franz Schmidt Organ Competition Vienna is held every two years, and the present year witnessed its eighth edition. Twenty-five young organists from twelve countries managed to qualify for the 2020 competition, which was held in cooperation with the mdw; they tested their mettle from 11 to 19 September 2020 at three churches in Vienna’s city centre.

The mdw’s Department of Organ, Organ Research, and Church Music is a place devoted to caring for the “humus of Western music”.

1971 saw the establishment of the Institute of Organological Research and Documentation at what was then the Academy of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

Even at the young age of 12, Bine Katrine Bryndorf was convinced that the organ was her future.

25 musicians from 15 countries qualified to participate in this renowned competition.

Those who believe that church music consists simply of a few songs that they once heard in church, might be quite surprised indeed to learn just how diverse musica sacra can be.