Hans Haselböck

Johann Haselböck (26 July 1928 – 20 October 2021) was an Austrian organist, composer, author and academic teacher.

Haselböck is regarded as a pioneer of Catholic church music in the German language after the Second Vatican Council.

[2][4] From 4 November 1949,[6][2] while still studying,[7] Haselböck became organist at the Dominican Church, Vienna, and held the office for 65 years.

He achieved first prize at the Internationaler Orgelimprovisationswettbewerb Haarlem [de], an international competition in organ improvisation at the St. Bavo church, three times in a row until 1960.

[6][7] After a concert of The Proms[7] at the Royal Albert Hall in London, a critic noted that the audience applauded as if Johann Sebastian Bach had returned from the grave to play his Toccata and Fugue in D.[8] Haselböck was an advisor for new organs and restorations.

He was honoured by a concert on 1 July 2018, on the occasion of his 90th birthday at the Andermatt Swiss Alps [de] festival, with him also playing.

Organ in the Dominican Church, Vienna