Wolfgang Seifen
Wolfgang Seifen (born 1956, in Bergheim) is a German organist, improviser, composer, and music pedagogue.
Wolfgang Seifen grew up in Oberaussem in the district of Bergheim. He received his foundations in music theory, piano and organ from Hermann Kräling. From 1967, he attended the Gymnasium of the Regensburger Domspatzen. From 1973 to 1976, he studied sacred music at the Gregoriushaus in Aachen. From 1976 to 1983, he was organist and music director at St. Sebastian church in Nettetal-Lobberich and, from 1983 until 2000, organist at the Marienbasilica in Kevelaer. In Kevelaer, he founded the Freundes- und Förderkreis der Basilikakonzerte and the Internationale Orgeltage. Along with Paul Wisskirchen, Seifen founded the International Altenberg Organ Academy for Improvisation at Altenberg Cathedral, where he was permanent lecturer from 1987 to 2022.
At the same time, Seifen taught the organ class for improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart (1989 to 1992). From 1992 to 2000, he was lecturer of improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, where he was appointed honorary professor in 1995. In October 2000, he was appointed professor of improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the University of the Arts in Berlin; he retired in October 2021. In 2002, he was appointed by Cardinal Sterzinsky to the Church Music Commission of the Archdiocese of Berlin. From 2003 to 2009, he was chairman of the Conference of Directors of Catholic institutions for Sacred Music in Germany.
From 2004 to 2022, Seifen was the titular organist at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, where he was the artistic director of the International Organ Improvisation Festival Berlin and (along with Helmut Hoeft) of the organ concert series Meisterkonzerte Berlin. He has published numerous works on organ building and organ improvisation, as well as compositions for choir, organ and chamber music. He has also participated in numerous radio and television productions, released CD recordings of organ improvisations and pursues an extensive international concert career. Since March 2024, Wolfgang Seifen has been chairman of the Orgelbauverein Kevelaer e.V.
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