Organist Johannes Geffert has made profound and far-reaching contributions to the world of organ music. Renowned for his virtuosic technique and scholarly approach to the instrument, Geffert’s performances are celebrated for their clarity, expressive depth, and interpretive rigour.
Johannes Geffert
Geffert’s influence extends beyond the concert stage through his scholarly and pedagogical work as emeritus professor for organ and improvisation in Cologne, and as the editor of a series of publications on romantic organ music by American and British composers.
In addition to his concert and teaching activities, Geffert has long been an advocate for the preservation and revitalisation of historical organs, engaging in projects that emphasise the significance of maintaining these instruments for future generations.
Johannes Geffert Performs Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in B-minor, BWV 544
The Making of a Musician
Son of a renowned Bonn organist and director of church music, Johannes Geffert started his musical education on the violin. However, that instrument did not hold his attention for very long, and he switched to the piano and, subsequently, the organ. As he explained, “playing the organ for the first time was a real revelation.” Initially taught by his father, his progress was astonishing, and he played his first Service at the age of 12.
Geffert pursued his studies in Cologne with distinguished German organist and educator Michael Schneider. Schneider was known for his exceptional technical skills that enabled him to play complex works with great precision. Under his guidance, Geffert completed his A-Examen with special distinction in organ improvisation.
Johannes Geffert Performs Henry Smart’s Grand solemn March
The Making of a Master
Johannes Geffert
Johannes Geffert recalled the time he first heard a performance by organist Nicolas Kynaston. “He had an incredibly relaxed way of playing the instrument and such a deep understanding of the organ’s full range of sounds and capabilities. I immediately knew that I wanted to study with him.”
According to Geffert, Kynaston brought great emotional depth and expressiveness to his performances. His deep interpretive insights allowed him to manipulate registers and dynamics to create a powerful and most engaging musical stage. Geffert spent five months in Britain and became Kynaston’s first international student. During this time he gained deep insights into the British organ tradition, which also included the discovery of organ arrangements by the great townhall organists of the 19th century.
Franz Liszt: Années de pèlerinage, “Vallée d’Obermann” (arr. J. Geffert) (Christoph Kuhlmann, organ)
Bach and Beyond
For Johannes Geffert, Johann Sebastian Bach represents the pinnacle of music written for the organ. Between 1974 and 1979, Geffert was organist in Aachen and conductor of the Aachen Bach Society. He also founded the “Aachener Bachtage” in 1974, an eclectic festival that places the works of Bach into a musical-historical context while also exploring a variety of avant-garde expressions.
Geffert’s fascination with the music of Bach does not end with Johann Sebastian, however. In fact, he founded the “Johann Christian Bach Academy,” an orchestra for performances on period instruments, in 1991. The first release featured some rarely heard Italian organ concertos, including several practically unknown movements composed by the “London” Bach.
Johann Christian Bach: Keyboard Concerto in B-flat Major, Op. 13, No. 4 “Allegro” (Johannes Geffert, organ; Johann Christian Bach Academy)
Expanding the Repertoire
Liszt Organ Arrangements Transcribed From Piano Works By Johannes Geffert
Combining his musicological insight with a deep understanding of performance practice, Geffert has supervised a series of publications of romantic organ music by American and British composers. In addition, he has actively enriched the organ repertoire by publishing a number of Liszt transcriptions and works associated with a unique instrument combining a piano and harmonium with two manuals and a pedal board used by the composer.
Geffert’s work as an editor and scholar underscores his belief in the importance of integrating performance with critical analysis and scholarly research. And he welcomes the evolving role of the organ, no longer exclusively tied to its traditional place and function but becoming a mainstream sensation in the hands of a new generation of incredible concert organists.
Johannes Geffert Performs Mendelssohn’s Variations serieuses, (arr. J. Geffert)
A Lifelong Commitment
Throughout his illustrious career, Johannes Geffert has significantly shaped the understanding and culture of organ music. He has served as an educator, researcher, and advocate, all while contributing to the preservation and promotion of the rich organ tradition. When I asked him about the most rewarding aspects of his career, he pointed to his role as a performer and his contribution of being able to directly share his passion for the organ and its music with audiences around the world.
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