News of The Organ Building World Germany

Ottobeuren/DE, Abbey

The Marienorgel of the abbey church of Ottobeuren and its redevelopment

Even if many aesthetic and structural characteristics remind of former times, you can notice extremely innovative ideas: The stoplist follows the classical organ of the French Baroque and the symphonic. The new self-confidence expresses in the modern façade design which is inspired by the baroque surroundings, but not representing a replica of baroque designs.

Each instrument underlies wear and tear by its (permanent) use, and the Marienorgel also was an often used instrument in its 45 years' history. At the same time the demands on organs have changed, as human changed since then: On the organ music was played which was ideal for the room, However, there was a demand on a bigger dynamic range and so more power for the instrument, i.e. stable wind supply and sophisticated playing aids for the organist as it had become possible in the last decades by introducing combination systems.

The aim of the reworking of the organ by the workshop Klais in 2001/2002 was to maintain the existing qualities of the instrument, however, to carry out careful reorganizations.

The stoplist was carefully enlarged. The scale diagram from P. Albert Hohn was taken as a basis for this.

So, the encounter with the Marienorgel has become possible in a very new way, with the old charm and with new strength: The unique room of the Basilika Ottobeuren can be filled with sound.