We are proud to host one of the most respected European concert organists – Willibald Guggenmos – at this year’s third edition of the International Organ Festival “Organ of St. Anastasia”.

His rich international career, performances on the world’s most prestigious stages and inexhaustible dedication to music guarantee the audience an exceptional concert experience. The artist, who has won over audiences and critics around the world with his interpretations, will present himself in Zadar with a repertoire that combines technical brilliance and deep musical expressiveness.

In the Cathedral of St. Anastasia on September 5, 2026 at 8 p.m., Willibald Guggenmos will perform the following program on the Eisenbarth organ:

Jean-Marie Plum           Allegro Marziale op.184

1899-1944

Tomaso Albinoni           Adagio g-moll

1671-1751

Petr Eben                       Moto ostinato from Sunday-Music

1929-2007

Franz Liszt                     Paraphrase on the Pilgrim’s Chorus from th

1811-1886                      the Opera Thannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Willibald Guggenmos   Improvisation on St. Anastasia’s Hymn

*1957

Eugène Gigout               Toccata

1844-1925

Jacques Vogt                 Fantaisie-Orage

1810-1869

Olivier Messiaen            Angelsmusic from the Opera

1908-1992                      Saint Francois d’Assise

                                       Transports de joie

                                       from L’Ascension

Biography

http://www.willibald-guggenmos.de/

Willibald Guggenmos received his first position as an organist at the age of ten. He started his first musical training at the Conservatory at Augsburg, Germany and the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, where he earned a total of three master’s degrees, including Piano, Conducting and Organ.

From 1984 till 2001, he held a position as organist at St. Martin's Church at Wangen/Allgäu, South Germany, where he directed a richly varied musical program. In 1985, he performed the complete works by J.S. Bach in 14 recitals.

From 2001 till 2004, Guggenmos worked as organist, sub-conductor and coordinator of music at Munich-Cathedral (Liebfrauendom).

From 2004 till 2023, Willibald Guggenmos was organist at St. Gallen-Cathedral (Switzerland).

 Since 2023 he has been director of the International Organfestival Augsburg.

His career as a concert organist has taken him to almost all corners of the world: almost every country in Europe, North America, South America, Canada, Iceland, Russia, the Bahamas and various Caribbean islands, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Far East.

Special venues took place among others at Notre Dame-Paris, St. Paul's London, the Cathedrals of Sevilla, Copenhagen, Uppsala, Zurich, Bruxelles, Messina, Antwerp, Cologne, Warsaw, Riga, Reykjavik, Aosta, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Ottawa, Sydney and Melbourne, St. Joseph's Oratoire-Montreal, Quincena Musical (San Sebastian), Brucknerfest Linz, Concert-Halls like Munich-Philharmonie, Liverpool St. Georges-Hall, Hong Kong Cultural-Center, Sydney Town-Hall and Wellington Town-Hall.

International reviews attested to him "fantastic technique and dazzling musicianship" (Bernhard Holland-New York Times).

His enormous repertoire includes the complete works of Bach, Franck, Liszt, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Boëllmann, Stehle and Duruflé, the great works of Max Reger; Marcel Dupré, Olivier Messiaen and countless other important pieces written for this instrument.

For television and broadcasting, he did several recordings in many countries.

Highlights of his CD-recordings took place at the largest organ in Switzerland (Engelberg), the famous Cavaille-Coll Organ at Azcoitia (Spain) and the legendary famous "Hill-Organ" at Sydney Town-Hall (Australia).

We look forward to your arrival!