Björn O. Wiede – organ

Björn O. Wiede (*1962) was a singer in the famous boys’ choir Dresdner Kreuzchor and studied in Dresden, Hamburg and Munich. He received his training in violoncello, harpsichord, piano, conducting, Evangelische Kirchenmusik (A) and music education. He began at the Ulm cathedral (Ulm Minster), where he was able to interpret organ music on four instruments, perform modern oratorios and organize a long trip to the USA with the Junge Kantorei.

Another side of his personality was revealed as a freelancer for the Südwest-Presse, for which he wrote concert and film reviews. In 1994, Wiede came to Potsdam as Nikolaikantor and built up regular music at the Cathedral of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. In the course of his activity, associations were formed, organs were built and other instruments were purchased, festivals were established and a rich range of music developed for the Brandenburg state capital Potsdam. This includes the construction of the new main organ (2014-17), which he holds a key role in designing.

He directs the Nikolaichor Potsdam and the Europe Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the classical oratorios, the vocal and instrumental works of Bach, and Beethoven’s symphonies are of particular concern to him. Wiede gives concerts regularly throughout Germany and many European countries and has been a guest in Venezuela and the USA. As festival director, organist, conductor and pianist, Björn O. Wiede devotes himself to a wide range of activities. He was appointed director of church music by the Evangelische Landeskirche Berlin-Brandenburg-Schlesische Oberlausitz. In addition to choral motets, his most comprehensive composition, the oratorio “Potsdam Requiem” for solo voices, speaker, choir, orchestra, percussion and organ, was written in 2013-2019.