A Night of Classical Music at Moscow's Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral
add_circle Pros
- The Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul is a stunning venue with breathtaking architecture.
- The organ concert was a unique and captivating experience that left me in awe.
- The ticket price was reasonable, ranging from 1900 to 3900 rubles.
- The concert duration was 1 hour 45 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise.
- The cathedral's location on Starosadsky Pereulok, 7/10, is easily accessible by public transportation.
- The sound quality was good, even if it wasn't exceptional.
- I loved the mix of locals and tourists in the crowd.
- The cathedral's gift shop had some cool souvenirs.
remove_circle Cons
- The official website didn't accurately reflect the concert duration, which was 30 minutes longer than expected.
- The seating arrangement could have been better, as some seats had a limited view of the organ.
- The concert program was a bit too long, which made it hard to focus on the music.
- The crowd was a mix of locals and tourists, which made it feel a bit touristy.
- The ticket prices could have been more transparent.
- I wish there were more snacks available during the concert.
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Editor's Summary
I spent six days in bed after New Year's, recharging my social battery, which had taken a hit from the previous year. I recovered, got my finances in order, and started browsing Moscow's event listings for something interesting. That's when I stumbled upon an organ concert at the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. It wasn't part of the cultural program before, but I'm glad I found it. The concert was a game changer for me, and I'm excited to share my experience with you.
Specifications
I spent six days in bed after New Year's, recharging my social battery, which had taken a hit from the previous year. I recovered, got my finances in order, and started browsing Moscow's event listings for something interesting. I found it. Now I'll be sharing where I went and what I saw. An organ concert at the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul was my discovery. It wasn't part of the cultural program before.
Address: Starosadsky Pereulok, 7/10.Ticket price: from 1900 to 3900 rubles.Concert duration: 1 hour 45 minutes. They promised 1 hour and 15 minutes, at least according to the official website. I was really disappointed with the organization:
At the entrance, the staff member was too abrupt in refusing curious citizens who just wanted to take a look inside. But there's no information on the street about the building being open only to those who have bought tickets.If you arrive early, you'll just have to stand in the hallway or walk around the courtyard. There are no benches or chairs to rest on. The hall opens 30 minutes before the event starts.The hall is almost not heated at all! I thought I was overdressed at first, but after 20 minutes into the concert, I was glad I had my thick socks and a hat.The benches are wooden. One can fit four people. The seats are numbered. Overall, when it's cold, it's okay. My neighbors and I were huddled together like penguins. I was sitting in my gloves and with my hood on. The decor is simple, and there's a lot of cold air.
The concert started on time. When I bought the tickets, I looked at the hall layout. I chose the parterre. Everything would've been fine, but the organ was not at the stage, like some museum exhibit...
...it was behind me.
So, you could've bought seats on the balcony for 1900 rubles.
There's an organ installed right opposite the altar of the cathedral, built in 1898 by Wilhelm Sauer - one of the largest organ-building companies in Germany.
Originally, the instrument was installed in the Moscow Lutheran Church of St. Michael. After it was closed in 1928, it was moved to the Danilov Monastery, where it had a somber mission in the crematorium hall until 1972.
I have to say, they played some serious classical stuff - Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. The projection on the vaulted ceiling wasn't exactly stunning.
I'd never actually listened to an organ live before, and it was pure magic. The sound just seemed to pass through my body. It was therapeutic. The two organists who played in unison were absolutely on point - a solid 5+. What's even more amazing is that The Nutcracker still feels like a classic Christmas symbol, even without a massive orchestra.I spent most of the concert with my eyes closed. I'd occasionally snap back to reality to applaud.
The bottom line
It was some seriously beautiful music, and the organists were top-notch. But, man, it was freezing in there! My neighbor got up and left after an hour because she couldn't sit on that wooden bench for two hours without a break. I was lucky, I guess, because my jacket had some kind of interesting filler that made it comfortable to sit on. I'd definitely recommend finding a different place to visit during the warmer months.
I was happy with the evening, but objectively, I wouldn't recommend it - especially not for the price. Thanks.
