Bach in Marbella: FREE 4-Hand Organ Recital You Can't Miss!

Marbella's classical music scene is humming right along, thanks in no small part to the ongoing III Bach-Marbella International Organ Festival. And trust me, if you're anywhere near the Costa del Sol and appreciate the grandeur of a well-played organ, this is something you don't want to miss. The venue alone, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, adds a layer of historical resonance that just can't be replicated.

Bach in Marbella: FREE 4-Hand Organ Recital You Ca...

The festival, now in its third year and running through the 2025-2026 season, is a project spearheaded by the Marbella Town Hall in collaboration with the Asociación Amigos del Órgano del Sol Mayor, specifically mentioning Sr. Villero and Sr. Sampedro. It's this kind of local passion that really makes these events special, you know? It brings together some seriously talented organists from all over the globe to celebrate the works of Bach and other composers.

Previous performances have already set a high bar. Jan Bokszczanin, a professor from the Fryderyk Chopin University in Warsaw, Poland, gave a recital back in January that reportedly had the audience spellbound with Bach’s complex Baroque compositions. I've always found it amazing how one instrument can fill such a large space with such diverse and beautiful sound, and Bokszczanin apparently did not disappoint. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, Marina Omelchenko from Moscow, Russia, graced the church with her talent. Word on the street is the acoustics in the Encarnación church are nothing short of spectacular, and Omelchenko really took advantage of that.

But the best is yet to come, or at least, that's what I'm hearing. Mark your calendars for March 1st at 5pm because that's when Eric Lebrun and Marie-Ange Leurent, two French organists, will be giving a four-hand organ concert. Now, I’ve never seen a four-hand organ performance, and I’m incredibly curious. Lebrun, who has been the titular organist at Paris’ Notre-Dame-de-Lorette for ages, and Laurent are apparently known for bringing fresh energy to the four-hand repertoire. I mean, two people playing one organ – that's gotta be something to witness!

Ultimately, this festival is more than just a series of concerts; it's helping to solidify Marbella's position as a cultural destination on the Costa del Sol. And the best part? This particular concert is free! So, if you find yourself in the area on March 1st, pop over to the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación at 5pm. You might just discover a new appreciation for the King of Instruments.