Preludio Concertante

Franz Josef Stoiber first studied the organ privately with Walther R. Schuster (Passau Cathedral) and Eberhard Kraus (Regensburg Cathedral), before pursuing church music and music theory studies at Würzburg Conservatoire (organ: Prof. G. Kaunzinger and Prof. G. Weinberger; harmony: Prof. Z. Gárdonyi).

Subsequently, he took up postgraduate organ studies at Stuttgart Conservatoire (organ: Prof. Jon Laukvik), whilst specialising in organ improvisation under the tutelage of Prof. Peter Planyavsky (Vienna).

For three years, Stoiber was full-time music assistant at Würzburg Cathedral, as well as lecturer in music theory at Würzburg Conservatoire, before accepting a teaching position for organ and music theory at the Regensburg Academy of Catholic Church Music and Music Education (now “Regensburg University of Catholic Church Music and Music Education”).

In 1996, Franz Josef Stoiber was appointed organist at Regensburg Cathedral and, since 1997, has also taught organ at the cathedral choir school of the “Regensburger Domspatzen” (Regensburg Cathedral Choir of Boys and Men). In 2003, he was made full-time professor of organ improvisation/liturgical organ playing at Regensburg University of Catholic Church Music and Music Education”, a position he shared with that of university principal until 2011.

Franz Josef Stoiber enjoys a busy schedule, giving organ recitals and masterclasses at a national and international level (e.g. Germany, Portugal, Croatia, Russia, Japan and England). Regular CD recordings, as well as composing and academic writing, complement his diverse artistic activities.

The inauguration of the new four-manual organ at Regensburg Cathedral – built by the Austrian firm Rieger Orgelbau to Franz Josef Stoiber’s specifications – marks a major milestone in Stoiber’s career. Boasting a total of 80 stops, this ground-breaking new instrument is the largest suspended pipe organ in the world today.