Silvius von Kessel

Silvius Carlos Benedict von Kessel (* 20 February 1965 in Oldenburg, Germany) is a German organist, improviser and choirmaster.

He is currently Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster of Erfurt Cathedral, the capital of the Free State of Thuringia in Germany, as well as honorary professor of organ music at the Hochschule für Musik "Franz Liszt", Weimar.

He is President of the festival Thüringer Bachwochen. relating to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach who was born 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia. The Thüringer Bachwochen festival is the biggest festival of classical music in Thuringia. Silvius von Kessel is a member of the Artistic Direction of the BACH/LISZT organ competition.

He studied organ music and church music at the Folkwang Hochschule Essen with Professor Gisbert Schneider from 1986 to 1991 passing his A Exam with distinction. He continued his organ study from 1991 to 1994 in Paris with Professor Olivier Latry getting the "Diplôme de Concertiste" in 1994. In the same year he was appointed Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster of Erfurt Cathedral.

Silvius von Kessel is married to Christine Countess of Königsmarck and they have five children. He is a cousin of the actress Sophie von Kessel.

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