Five, seven or more: counting the instruments
Salzburg Dom organs
The organs of Salzburg Cathedral: the great organ, the pillar organs under the dome, the Hoforgel and why the cathedral gives two different counts.
Reserve a seat under the dome ↗An organ landscape
The cathedral's organ page uses the phrase organ landscape. It says that after the two western pillar organs, the so-called Italian organs, were completed, the cathedral has five independent organs, which it calls unique north of the Alps. It adds that the great organ on the west gallery contributes its own part to the whole ensemble, and that the setting is unique in Europe for musical variety. The concert page, by contrast, says up to seven organs.
The great organ on the west gallery
German Wikipedia says the main organ of the cathedral dates from 1988 and stands on the west gallery. The cathedral's organ page describes the great organ as an indispensable part of the ensemble that plays alongside the instruments in the crossing.
The pillar organs under the dome
German Wikipedia counts four instruments in the crossing, restored after 1990, and says one of them has a second, independently playable continuo organ. The cathedral's page says that after the restoration it is again possible to play instrumental music on the dome galleries, as in Mozart's time, and to perform the polychoral works of old masters in their original manner. Two of these organs are the western pillar organs called the Italian organs.
The Hoforgel
The cathedral's organ page says Mozart himself usually played on the south-east pillar organ, which it calls the Hoforgel. The name means court organ. Wikipedia says Mozart took up a post as court organist and concertmaster in Salzburg after he returned home in January 1779. The organ stands on a balcony on a pillar under the dome, and a midday concert may use it, since the concert page speaks of up to seven organs.
A chest positive and a continuo organ
German Wikipedia counts seven independent organs. Besides the main organ and the four crossing organs it lists the second continuo organ that belongs to one of the crossing instruments, and a chest positive. A positive is a small organ, and the German term for this one is Truhenpositiv. German Wikipedia's longer list shows how the cathedral's own count of five and the concert page's up to seven can both be in use.
Why the building has so many
English Wikipedia says that at the consecration in 1628, 12 choirs placed in the marble galleries sang a Te Deum by Stefano Bernardi. The cathedral says that the restoration of the dome galleries and their organs made it possible to perform works of old Salzburg masters at their original place of performance. An engraving by Melchior Küsel shows multi-choir music in the nave, with musicians on the balconies at the crossing.
More than accompaniment
The cathedral's organ page says the variety of instruments is used not just to accompany church celebrations but also for concert performances. Its music page adds that its organists give regular organ meditations and improvisation concerts for five organs. The midday recital is the daily, short version of that idea, open to anyone with a ticket, while the services and the longer concerts follow their own calendars on the cathedral's pages.
What this means at midday
The midday concert is the cathedral's daily way of showing these instruments to visitors. Guests describe one organist playing several organs, with each introduced in turn. Because the concert page says up to seven, no day is promised to use all of them. Use this guide to know what you are looking at, and leave the choice of organ to the day.
Read next: Salzburg organ concert
Frequently asked questions
How many organs does Salzburg Cathedral have?
The cathedral's organ page counts five independent organs, and its concert page says up to seven. German Wikipedia counts seven, including a continuo organ and a chest positive.
Which organ did Mozart play?
The cathedral's organ page says he usually played on the south-east pillar organ, the Hoforgel.
Sources