Giant organ. Huge cathedral. Big sense of history. Sounds like a recipe for a powerful concert experience. But what are the organ concerts at Stephansdom like? My review and visitor tips below…
- Prestigious (guest) organists
- Atmospheric, as you’d expect
- Central & relatively inexpensive
- Book a concert or tour* in Stephansdom
- See also:
- Stephansdom overview
- Classical concerts in Vienna
Pews and Pipes

(Our ticket and programme)
Large Gothic cathedrals really need to echo to the sounds of some mighty organ, conjuring up visions of pious clergymen in hooded robes, kneeling monarchs fresh from the battlefield, or the nobility elbowing each other in pursuit of the best seats at a wedding.
Stephansdom fits the bill perfectly. The centrepiece of Vienna’s church landscape is home to an organ that actually bears the name “The Giant Organ”.
(Do not expect monarchs or nobility, though. Such days are long gone.)
The cathedral’s public organ concerts typically feature different performers and pieces each time. You might get Stephansdom’s own organist (a position first occupied around 1370), but more likely an equally prestigious guest from elsewhere.
We heard the director of music and organist at Switzerland’s Chur Cathedral, which dates back to the 1100s. Andreas Jetter has previously played in such renowned locations as the Berlin and Cologne cathedrals, Notre-Dame, St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey (!)
Obviously the quality of the performance was exceptional, but what of the experience itself?

(The main entrance to the cathedral)
Empty of visitors, the cathedral offered a different impression to the hubbub of the day: more ethereal, more solemn. The evening light added a dusky reverence to the occasion, too.
We found our seats easily since sections, rows and seat numbers are labeled clearly. Friendly staff were on hand for those who might need help. A short introduction in German and English then preceded the actual music.
Jetter performed three pieces for us across about an hour, including Bach’s Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major and a movement from Hans Rott’s Symphony in E major (which Jetter transcribed for the organ himself).
Rott (1858-1884) was briefly organist at Vienna’s Piaristenkirche and a composer of enormous promise; Mahler was a fan. Sadly, he died far too young.
The organist used a central pult in the middle of the nave to control both the Giant Organ high above the main cathedral entrance and the Choir Organ on the southern wall.
Between them, these two instruments have more than 12,500 pipes. Which gives you an idea of the potential variety and volume of music possible. And makes you feel pity for those involved in organ maintenance.
When both instruments came into operation, the effect was rather impressive. Like a Gothic stereo as the organs played off each other. And the louder parts had the hairs standing up on my neck.
We had the most inexpensive tickets (€15), so sat in a pew facing away from the organist, with a view of the keyboards blocked by the pult. This did not affect the audio experience.
Indeed, it felt like sitting in some history documentary, surrounded by cathedral architecture and the sounds of the organ resonating about you.
Having said that, a more expensive ticket would have got me a chair with a view, so I could have enjoyed watching the dexterity of Jetter performing some of the more complex parts of the pieces. Mea culpa.
Even with the cheapest tickets, we heard a top organist playing in one of the most historical and atmospheric venues in Vienna. And all for little more than the price of a coffee and cake in one of the nearby traditional coffee houses. So no complaints from me!
Tickets & tips
The cathedral has a concert ticket office on its south side or buy your tickets online.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
(Nothing available? Try some alternative concerts*)
Some tips for you:
The location empties before the concert. Queue outside the main west doors where the ticket check takes place.
I’d suggest queueing early. The earlier you get in, the more of that Gothic cathedral atmosphere you can enjoy before the rest of the audience begins milling around with their phones. (And the more time you get to mill around with your own phone before sitting.)
Of course, another way to experience the insides of the cathedral is the self-guided audio guide tour.
Temperatures inside the cathedral were comfortable and actually warmer than outside on an chilly evening in early May.
However, I’d recommend a pullover or warmer clothes, especially in the colder seasons. And this is a working religious institution, so a tank top, shorts and similar would be inappropriate anyway.
(Here my general advice on clothing when attending classical concerts in Vienna.)
Finally, if the idea of classical concerts in historical surrounds appeals, then Vienna has plenty more to offer: Strauss in a baroque palais, Mozart in a palace orangery, and similar.
How to get to Stephansdom
Follow the travel tips on the main cathedral article.
The entrance is outside the Stephansplatz subway station on the U1 and U3 lines, if you’re not already passing by on a wander through the pedestrianised centre.
Address: Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna