Press release from ‘Diena mit Kultūras Diena (KDi)’ dated 9 Oct. 2025 –
a traditional Latvian newspaper with a strong cultural supplement (KDi):
... Musicians, experts and cultural figures have long emphasised the need for an instrument suitable for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This dream is now being realised by the Wegscheider Orgelbau organ workshop in Dresden, Germany, which specialises in the construction of Baroque organs. The new organ will be built based on the designs of the most famous organ builder of the 18th century in the Baltic region, Heinrich Andreas Contius (1708–1795). The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2027, following the planned foundation reinforcement work.
This is a German-Latvian cultural project. Latvian experts will also be actively involved in the organ construction, and the contract provides for the participation of the Riga Cathedral parish in fundraising. The organ building company Wegscheider Orgelbau had already developed a similar project with Latvian partners in 2007, but it could not be realised at the time due to a lack of funds. The implementation of the project is currently largely secured by a particularly generous donation from the Carl Bechstein Foundation. The remaining €400,000 is to be raised over the course of the next year – half of it in Germany and half in Latvia. A large-scale fundraising campaign will soon be launched in close cooperation with the Förderverein Orgel Dom Riga e.V. (Friends of Riga Cathedral Organ Association), based in Berlin and headed by Dr Klaus Wittmann, the successor to Riga's mayor Adam Hinrich Schwarz (1740–1762).
Latvia is a country of organs, home to many high-quality Romantic instruments that have been well restored and maintained in recent years. However, due to limited financial resources, the situation in many places is sad – Latvian churches have worn-out pipe organs imported from abroad that are still playable, while more and more concert halls in Latvia are choosing to purchase digital instruments and, absurdly enough, define digital recordings played through loudspeakers as an adequate substitute for real pipe organs. Against this backdrop of Latvian organ culture, the need for a high-quality, historically accurate instrument from an organ builder such as the German company Wegscheider Orgelbau, which has already proven itself through its outstanding quality, becomes clear. Riga Cathedral is an important centre of organ culture in Europe and worldwide, as well as a significant and active concert venue that attracts the greatest and most important artists and experts in the field. Similar to other cathedrals, the presence of two organs is quite normal, enriching and honouring the work of two outstanding, historically significant organ builders – the famous Walcker organ, which has been in use for more than 140 years, and the Contius instrument, which is currently still under construction," explains Aigars Reinis, music director of Riga Cathedral and cathedral organist.
To celebrate the construction of the new organ, a festive event will take place on 10 October at 5 p.m. in Riga Cathedral, attended by the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (LELB), Rinalds Grants, and the organ builder. During the event, a full-size, colour image of the new organ will be unveiled. This visual preview will offer visitors a special experience, similar to the model of Berlin that became an inspiring symbol for the public. The organisers cordially invite all interested parties to attend this event, which will herald a new era in the cultural life of Riga and Latvia.
The event will feature music from Riga Cathedral from the early 18th century by cantor and organist Johann Valentin Meder (1649–1719) and from the early 19th century by Riga Cathedral organist Georg Michael Telemann (1748–1831) for violin and positive organ. The performers will be baroque violinist Lāsma Maledere-Šestakova and Riga Cathedral organist Aigars Reinis. The concert will conclude with music by Johann Sebastian Bach played on the large Walcker organ by the organist of the world-famous historic Hildebrandt ‘Bach’ organ in Naumburg (Germany).
