Respect for a Gesamtkunstwerk
Organ builders have trouble describing their work. They express themselves through the fruits of their labors.
An organ constitutes a homogenous whole. Dividing it according to music, technical, or artistic aspects is inconceivable. What matters is to perceive the organ as a Gesamtkunstwerk. If one loses sight of this principle, it leads to destruction of the artwork. Cologne Cathedral, the suspended organ in the nave Stoplist In the planning phase of new organ construction, the future organ grows within the eye of the builder as a Gesamtkunstwerk or "synthesis of the arts".
Via sketches, design drawings, and detailed blueprints, the tonal concept, engineering, and architecture of the organ take shape gracefully, step by step. Bath Abbey, Stoplist Occasionally, the organ builder is afforded the opportunity to put all of his ability to the test side by side with the church architects.
Usually spaces and architectural style are already set, the region has its own peculiarities, or one must bow to the traditions of a particular community of faith. For examples of the standards to which we hold ourselves to when it comes to organ restoration, select the menu item to view a summary presentation of some sacred and concert organs.
Visiting our instruments in the Internet is of course no substitute for experiencing our instruments in person or visiting our workshop in Bonn. Organ and space, workshop and organ - holistic thinking and feeling from the felled tree to the choral prelude that fills the space with music: respect for the Gesamtkunstwerk.