April 1 and 3. and 5. the “director of church music” organist H J Schnoor, Luebeck Germany, gave three great concerts at the organ of St Paul’s Vladivostok: J. S. Bach, D. Buxtehude, even F. Mendelssohn. F. Liszt and C. Franck were to be heard , additionally a contemporary composer from Germany: R. Ploeger.

The masterly play of H J Schnoor gave a very good demonstration of the high music-culture in the Lutheran Church. The church was filled up to the last seat, and at the third concert people had even to sit in the floor.

H J Schnoor is already the 6th organist from abroad, who gives a concert in St Paul’s ; October last year we had even an organist from Paris.

This project “Organ Concerts in St Paul’s Vladivostok” takes an unexpected successful growth : people in Germany tell each other , that Vladivostok is an interesting , exotic city, and more and more organist want to make this “adventure trip”. Pastor Brockmann can even no longer satisfy all interests and applications. This year he can “house” only 4 organists.

But 4 organists multiplied by each 3 concerts make 12 organ concerts 2009 in Vladivostok. The proceeds of these concerts are used for the maintaining of our beautiful St Paul’s Church. In Germany organists begin already to give concerts, to help their colleagues financially to make this trip to Vladivostok.

Manfred Brockmann, pastor at St Paul’s Vladivostok