News of The Organ Building World Germany

Appenweier/DE, St. Michael

The former organ was rebuilt several times. It was built in 1860 by Jacob Forell as a one-manual-instrument with mechanical cone chests. In 1937, M. Welte & Söhne, Freiburg/Germany electrified it and enhanced the instrument to two manuals. Additionally he manufactured new parts for the new-baroque case which has changed the Forell organ beyond recognition – although a reconstruction of the small organ would have been possible. Therefore the instrument is precisely documented and stored.

The invitation to tender in 1999 required a concept for a new organ. The architecture of the case should become integrated in the room without being a pale imitation of the original neo-baroque style. It should have an honest and clear face according to the style of the room.

The design of the instrument absorbs a design principle of the high altar – there an open baroque construction forms the front. It is divided by pillars and joined with ornaments. Its basis is vivid. This idea is being adopted by us for our contemporary proposal: free-standing pillars with simple profiles form a front of convex and concave ornaments, imitating the stucco above the gallery. The sections in between are formed by the facade pipes of Principal 8‘ as well as by patterns made from brass. The case itself is built from smoked oak.

The specification with its 17 sounding stops adopts the sound of the former Forell-organ. The Great is set up by Pricipals – following the South-German tradition of using one choir with consistent scale. Flutes, strings and the mounted Cornet are added. The Swell disposes exclusively of „character stops“ and thus is the completion of the organ to be also a lyric piano instrument. The Pedal is on a soundboard for two divisions (Zwillingslade) together with the Swell. Both flue stops form the back of the rogan, however, the reed stop is in the Swell.

Further technical realisation is planned traditionally: key action as well as stop action are mechanic, and a big, central double-raise bellows provides for the wind supply.

The organ is under construction in the workshop. The dismantling of the organ and its storage in the attic of the church is supposed to be in July 2005 in order to renovate the gallery floor. The organ is planned to be completed until the end of the year 2005.

by Dr. Hans-Wolfgang Theobald

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