The organ is the queen of instruments?

The famous statement:

"The organ is the queen of instruments"

is often attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, although there is no definitive source confirming that he actually said or wrote these words.

The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg quotes:

“ ... the organ is, in my eyes and ears, truly the king of all instruments ...

wrote Mozart in 1777 to his father."

The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg undoubtedly has access to Mozart’s original letters, so the quote is very likely correctly transmitted. An interesting thought—could Goethe have been inspired by Mozart?

It is certainly conceivable that Mozart, a true genius, influenced his contemporaries both linguistically and musically. A fascinating detail in the connection between two great minds of their era!

The phrase highlights the organ’s unique status in music: it is one of the most impressive and versatile instruments, with an extraordinary richness of sound and a wide range of expressive possibilities.

No other instrument can produce so many different tonal colors and even replace entire orchestras. Particularly in church music and concert halls, the organ assumes a majestic role—not only as a musical masterpiece but also as an architectural marvel.