August 11 (Tue, Holiday) Event: Suntory Hall Organ Festival 2026 - A Summer Celebration for All Ages, Featuring the Majestic Organ!

Suntory Hall will host the "Suntory Hall Organ Festival 2026" on August 11, 2026 (Tue, Holiday). The organ, located at the front of the Grand Hall, boasts 74 stops and a total of 5,898 pipes, making it a truly grand-scale instrument with a wide range of tones, befitting its status as the "face" of Suntory Hall. This festival is a summer celebration where this magnificent organ takes center stage. Top organists active both domestically and internationally will present four performances enjoyable for children and adults alike. You can immerse yourself in the resonant sound of the organ filling the hall throughout the day.

Click here for the Suntory Hall Organ Festival 2026 feature page

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/articles/detail/139486.html

Performance 1 "Organ Kids! ~Listen, Touch, and Enjoy an Organ Adventure~" (Starts 10:30 AM / Grand Hall & Blue Rose (Small Hall)) For elementary school students (lower to middle grades)

Performance 2 "Mari Ohki Organ Concert: The Organ Leads to Bach" (Starts 2:30 PM / Grand Hall)

Performance 3 "Organ Talk: When the Organ Began, Expanded, and Breathed" (Starts 4:30 PM / Blue Rose (Small Hall))

Performance 4 "Cameron Carpenter Organ Recital" (Starts 6:00 PM / Grand Hall)

Performance 1 "Organ Kids! ~Listen, Touch, and Enjoy an Organ Adventure~" is a concert for elementary school students (lower to middle grades). Experience the world of the organ through engaging stories and powerful performances by Yuka Ishimaru, who is active as a top organist with her colorful playing and enlivens the organ world with diverse performances and activities for all ages to enjoy the organ, as well as viewing parts and models. Furthermore, after the performance, a special event "Organ Experience Tour!" will be held, allowing participants to tour the console and the interior of the organ and interact with the organist. (Limited to 30 groups / Fee applies, advance application and lottery system)

August 11 (Tue, Holiday) Starts 10:30 AM (Doors open 10:00 AM / Ends 11:30 AM)

Suntory Hall Grand Hall & Blue Rose (Small Hall)

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20260811_M_1.html

Performance 2 "Mari Ohki Organ Concert: The Organ Leads to Bach" is a concert tracing the works of J. S. Bach, the "Father of Music," and composers connected to him. Bach, who was not only a composer but also an outstanding organist, left behind over 200 organ works. Performing Bach and related works in this concert is Mari Ohki, an organist who has received high international acclaim as a performer of Bach's works and German music, and was invited to the "Bach Organ Festival 2026" held at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was active. The navigator is Shoma Kai, known as a passionate classical music fan who travels for concerts abroad. Through conversations between Ohki and Kai, the performance will explore the works as if traveling through time, delving into their musical charm.

August 11 (Tue, Holiday) Starts 2:30 PM (Doors open 2:00 PM)

Suntory Hall Grand Hall

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20260811_M_2.html

Mari Ohki (Organ), Shoma Kai (Navigator)

Performance 3 "Organ Talk: When the Organ Began, Expanded, and Breathed" is an organ lecture for adults by Tsuguo Hirono, a legend in the Japanese organ world. A pioneer who paved the way for the organ in Japan, performed in numerous concerts since the opening of Suntory Hall, and was involved in nurturing many organists, he will delve deeply into the charm and history of the organ.

August 11 (Tue, Holiday) Starts 4:30 PM (Doors open 4:00 PM)

Suntory Hall Blue Rose (Small Hall)

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20260811_S_2.html

Left: The organ in Suntory Hall's Grand Hall Right: Tsuguo Hirono

Performance 4 "Cameron Carpenter Organ Recital" features Cameron Carpenter, an organist who "ignites enthusiasm." Carpenter has continuously pushed the boundaries of the organ's possibilities through his own arrangements and improvisations, going beyond existing repertoire. With his exceptional technique and unique musical vision, he has been revolutionizing the way organ concerts are presented today. In this performance, he will present traditional works by J. S. Bach and Franck, as well as his own arrangement of Mussorgsky's Suite "Pictures at an Exhibition." He will deliver the charm of the organ on a scale that has been described as "one orchestra," freely manipulating a diverse range of tones. Pay attention to Carpenter's "present" as he seamlessly moves between traditional organ works, his own arrangements, and improvisation, reuniting with the Suntory Hall organ as a one-of-a-kind artist.

August 11 (Tue, Holiday) Starts 6:00 PM (Doors open 5:30 PM)

Suntory Hall Grand Hall

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20260811_M_3.html

Cameron Carpenter