If you're a church organist, your instrument of choice definitely isn't going on the road with you. Historical artifacts as well as objects of Baroque beauty, church organs are site-specific, and players must sometimes travel great distances in order to play these unique instruments.

Saint James' Basilica in Prague becomes the destination of choice for many renowned organists at this time every year, as some of the most distinguished names in the business gather for a festival of both classical and contemporary organ performances.

Organizer Irena Chřibková (shown on cover) says of the festival, now in its 11th year, "It's really hard to talk about highlights for this year's program, because every name on the bill is a star."

A unique feature of this year's festival is the number of improvisational performances on the program. "We have four improvisations this year, which is something very special for the organ festival," says Chřibková. "The performers all practice very well-disciplined improvisation for the organ."

Each organist in the festival is given the freedom to choose his or her own program. While Bach and Mozart are the mainstays, Chřibková says the festival repertoire is by no means limited to those composers. "In an organ festival it's good to hear new pieces, not only Bach," she says.

One of the most notable names among the nine visiting organists is Austrian Peter Planyavsky (Aug. 3), whom Chřibková describes as "the No. 1 organist in Vienna" — not an easy title to come by in a city with such an esteemed musical heritage. This year's program also includes American Peggy Johnson (Aug. 17), who will be performing works by eminent German and American composers ranging from the Romantic era (Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy) to the late 20th century (New York composer Dan Locklair).

Chřibková's personal favorite is French organist Thierry Escaich (Aug. 31), who will be performing improvisational music in addition to work by notable French composers. Having studied in Paris, Chřibková has a fondness for French music, and says that Escaich comes from a great tradition of organists in his country. "People say Escaich is playing in the grand tradition of Cesar Franck," she says, referring to a French classical musician noted for his improvisatory skill.

A unique event on this year's schedule will be a duo performance by Latvian musicians Talivaldis Desknis and Deite Alpe (Aug. 10). The two-person team will play a piece side by side, which Chřibková describes as written "for four hands and four feet." This modern work, Rhapsody (1992), is by Beirut-born French composer Naji Hakim. The performance is part of an ongoing cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Latvia. "Prague and Riga are partner towns in organ festivals," explains Chřibková. "Czech artists often go to Riga to perform, and vice versa."

The organ festival has a perfect home at Prague's Saint James' Basilica, which has a tradition of organ music almost as old as the church itself. According to Chřibková, the basilica has the best acoustics in the city for organ music, a key consideration for performances both sacred and secular. "Organ, church and acoustics are one," she says. "When constructing an organ, you must first see the church, and the room it will be in. After that, you can make the organ."