Flentrop Orgelbouw Zaandam: pipe organ building, pipe organ restoration
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Christmas card
ADue to a technical error in the production of our 2022 Christmas
card (Mölln, Nicolaikirche), the lines above the organ disposition have
been omitted. We want this information to be available to you, so we
are placing a corrected pdf on this page.
Our best wishes for a beautiful 2023!
Activities Slooff Organbuilding placed with Flentrop
Slooff Orgelbouw from Gouderak continues its own activities under the flag of Flentrop. Slooff's people continue to serve their own customers as much as possible, but without their own workshop and office. Flentrop and Slooff exchange specific knowledge and expertise between (people from) both companies. In this way, the knowledge and craftsmanship of Slooff Orgelbouw will remain available in a sustainable manner.
Benefit concert Osnabrück
Special projects require special attention: "Save the Pipes"
received this attention on Sunday, November 13, 2022 in St. Johann. In
the well-attended church, the listeners could enjoy an afternoon full
of magical sounds and also learn a lot of exciting things about the
organ project.
The director of the organ building company Flentrop, Erik Winkel from
the Netherlands, explained very clearly with lots of pictures which
first stages had already been taken on the way to organ restoration and
which surprising finds there were - pipes from the past centuries (16th
- 18th centuries) now find their place in the future organ.
The community of St. Johann is extremely grateful to everyone who has
already supported the "Save the Pipes" project with financial means.
Everyone who supports the project - with small and large contributions
- helps to keep church music alive in Osnabrück and to preserve both
musical and cultural-historical treasures of the past for the future.
Text: Christian Joppich
Foto: Stefan Stärker, Osnabrück
From left to right:
Andreas Hesse (Kammerdirektor Klosterkammer Hannover), Christiane
Andres (Vorsitzende Förderverein Kirchenmusik an St. Johann), Christian
Joppich (KMD an St. Johann), Prof. Dr. Kathrin Loer
(Orgelprojektgruppe), André Schüller (Vorstand Sparkasse Osnabrück),
Erik Winkel (Direktor Orgelbaufirma Flentrop)
Construction project metal pan flute with NMF
The National Musicinstruments Foundation started an exciting construction project in collaboration with Flentrop Orgelbouw to perfect the metal pan flute, based on the idea and initiative of pan flutist Matthijs Koene. On 14th September Matthijs Koene demonstrated the flute in evening talkshow Eva Jinek on Dutch television.
>> Music Fragment pan flute, Jinek
Inauguration Mölln
The completion of the restoration of the Scherer-Bünting organ was
marked with a festive opening. The organ initiation and the opening
concert with prof.dr. Arvid Gast and prof.dr. Pieter Van Dijk.
On Saturday there was an organ building project for children and
adults, a children's concert and various lectures by organ builders and
organists about the Möllner organ and its history. Among others Prof.
Krzysztof Urbaniak, Prof. dr. dr. Harald Vogel and Erik Winkel of
Flentrop. In addition, there were two concerts with the Marescotti
ensemble and prof.dr. Harald Vogel. On Sunday, the program closed with
a festive service and a closing concert
with Prof. Krzysztof Urbaniak.
>> Information, photos and films on the site of Orgelbauverein Möll
Demonstration Duke University Chapel
Organ curator John P.
Santoianni van Duke University Chapel demonstrates how the Flentrop organ creates its wide range of sounds.
>> More about the organ in Duke University Chapel
Starting restauration
Osnabrück
On December 3, the contract was signed for the restoration of the Berner organ in the St. Johann Pfarrkirche in Osnabrück. The Berner organ from 1787 is being restored and reorganized and will sound again in 2024. Flentrop restores the facets of the instrument on the basis of more than 800 historical pipes from Slegel (1572) and Berner (1787). The organ is expanded to 44 registers with a third manual based on the scales of the historical pipes. The costs of this special organ project amount to approximately 1.3 million euros.
photo: Matthias Petersen
>> Article about the restauration in Kirchenbote
New Manager Flentrop
Since April, Flentrop has had a new manager for 4 days a week: Anja
Bies. Anja
has extensive experience in managing an internationally oriented
project organization and planning processes.
Replacing bellows Mölln
During the restoration, Flentrop employees are replacing the bellows
in the Scherer-Bünting organ in Mölln. The Scherer-Bünting organ is one
of the oldest in the world. Some of the 2,731 pipes of this organ date
from the early 15th century, the oldest document is a document from
1436. Since then, several extensions, alterations and restorations have
been made, the most important in the period 1555 to 1558 by Jacob
Scherer and from 1754 to 1766 by Christoph Julius Bunting. Mölln has
several almost complete registers of Jacob Scherer, the ancestor of the
organ building dynasty of the same name: this is unique in the world.
Film by Orgelbouverein Mölln
Orgel Bavo like new again
After an intensive cleaning of eight months, the organ is like new
again. A new tin foil layer was urgently needed. Due to the natural
corrosion of the metal, but also due to the large amount of bat
droppings and urine, the organ pipes were severely damaged. Even the
largest pipes of 11 meters high, which no longer spoke, are working
again.
>> Film NH News
Film by Cellavie
Commissioning Flentroporgan Hattem
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, the Flentrop main organ in the Grote
Kerk of Hattem was recommissioned. Major maintenance had been carried
out on the instrument from January to March, with a general cleaning of
the pipework and interior.
With a program consisting of literature and congregational singing, the
organ was presented by the church's chief organist, Harm Jansen, and
his colleagues Bert Gelderman, Jaap Neuteboom and Jaap Zwart. Harm
Jansen gave an explanation of the history of the organ. The activities
were further explained on behalf of Flentrop Orgelbouw by Rinus Koole.
>> More
about the Flentrop-organ in Hattem
Cover feature Choir & Organ
The new (2020) organ for the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire was the cover feature of Choir & Organ, January/February 2022.
"Every so often, one plays an organ so exquisite, engaging or challenging that one cannot quite forget it. This is just such an organ – I want to hear it and to play it again, and again. I tried in vain to find something I did not like. I kept checking my enthusiasm: ‘There must be something wrong…’ But no, it is just a wonderful and fascinating organ. Congratulations to Flentrop." Tom Bell, performer, educator and independent organ consultant.
>> Article Drawing on the past, Choir & Organ
Monumental
status Flentrop organ
The Flentrop organ in the Grote Kerk in Wageningen has been given
the status of a national monument by the Cultural Heritage Agency of
the Netherlands. The organ was completed in 1955 and is one of the
special, artistically high-quality examples of the new organ building
movement.
"Very gratifying, because it is
recognized that this beautiful-sounding instrument occupies a special
place in the Dutch, world-famous, organ history" Gonny van der
Maten, concert organist
>> Article about monumental status
Concert Sietze de Vries - Inauguration Corvey
Sietze de Vries plays an improvisation on Nun danket All und bringet
Ehr, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Baroque organ in
Corvey. Flentrop took care of the dismantling and meticulous
documentation of Andreas Schneider's 1681 organ. It is one of the most
beautiful organs in Westphalia, built according to the beautiful and
rare springboard technique..
>>
Information about the organ in Corvey
>> Full concert on the site of Sietze de Vries
Video: Improvisation Sietze de Vries
Photo: Hans-Jörg Gemeinholzer
Conservation Report Manchester
The aim of this document has been to try to set out in one place the
history of this notable instrument, together with an accurate record of
what Cavaillé-Coll material was found to remain in the Manchester
organ after its careful dismantling in late 2020. [..]
This document also lists those areas where research work is now necessary in order to formalise the design for those parts of the instrument that have been lost and are to be reconstructed. A summary of the approach to the work that lies ahead concludes the document.
>> Download Conservation Report (PDF)
First pipes back in Mölln
The first pipes are back in the Scherer-Bünting organ in Mölln. In a
video from Schleswig Holstein Magazin, Flentrop employees Dick Koomans
and Klaas Koelewijn show how they are working on intonation.
>> Wactch the video on the NDR site
The perfect pan flute - Article NMF
Flentrop Orgelbouw is developing and building a new pan flute for
the well-known pan flute player Matthijs Koene, with support from the
Dutch Musical Instrument Foundation. See the article (in Dutch).
Inauguration
Corvey
It has been almost five years since the important, historic spring chest organ of the former Corvey Abbey Church unfolded its edifying sonority at a concert. Now the time of silence is over: after extensive restoration and reconstruction, the precious instrument has returned to its empty place on the gallery, supported by angels, and is consecrated on Saturday, June 12th by Auxiliary Bishop Manfred Grothe. Church musician Jörg Kraemer let the organ sound again.
>> Article "Die Zeit des Schweigens ist vorbei
Building the organ Birmingham
The new organ for the Royal Conservatoire Birmingham was
successfully put together in December. The organ is beautifully placed
in the room. The intonation will follow as soon as this is possible
with Covid regulations.
>> Photos and timelapse-movies Birmingham
Update
organ Manchester Town Hall
Dismantling of the 1877/1893 Cavaillé-Coll organ in Manchester Town Hall is now underway. A team of four organ builders from Nicholson & Co. and Flentrop arrived last week to catalogue and remove every part of the organ for careful restoration. This represents the first step in the major project to return this significant instrument back to its 1893 condition.
>> Disposition
Bach in Lübeck
Arvid Gast plays various works of Bach on the main large and the
small organ in the Jacobikirche in Lübeck. "...this is a phantastic CD [..] Composer,
instrument and performer come in overwhelmingly."
(Orgelnieuws.nl)
>> You can order the CD for €18,- with Verlagsgruppe
Kamprad
>> Recensie Bach in Lübeck at Orgelnieuws.nl
>>
Recensie Bach in Lübeck in Musik und Kirche
Flentrop builds Norwegian Schnitger-organ (review)
Sven Atle Johannesen, editor "Orgelspeilet" wrote a review of the CD Schnitger in Norway. Organist Hans van der Meijden demonstrates with various works the new organ in Dypvåg, a compact two-keyboard organ inspired by the Schnitger organ in Dedesdorf. The reviewer: “The program has been put together to present all the possibilities of the organ, and that has been very successful [..] In summary, this production testifies to an instrument characterized by a very good balance, where everything can be combined with everything. [..] Flentrop has succeeded in building a Norwegian Schnitger organ. ”
>> Download translated review (PDF)
Major cleaning Müller-organ façade
The Müller organ in the Great or Sint-Bavo church in Haarlem will
undergo a major cleaning up next year. Bats have polluted the
front for years. The front pipes will be provided with new tin foil or
polished. A number of front pipes that speak poorly will also be
repaired.
>> More information on Organ news
Restoration of the Vierdag organ, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
Due to a major renovation of the
Petra church in
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, the organ was dismantled in the spring of 2019.
Most of the pipework was dismantled and stored in the workshop of
Flentrop Orgelbouw. The keyboards and the five concussion bellows were
also disassembled.
In the week of Pentecost 2019, the organ was seriously damaged due to water damage due to leakage in the roof of the church building. The wind chests stored there were badly damaged, which drastically changed the original plan for cleaning and repair.
The four wind chests have now been completely restored. The plastic telescopes in the wind chests could no longer be maintained. This system is no longer functional; furthermore, new oak sliders have replaced the plastic sliders.
The valves have been re-covered with leather and the entire playing mechanism has been revised and adjusted after cleaning. The keyboards have been reintroduced and the concussion bellows have been regulated. Because the wind pressure was increased significantly in the past, it was revised and lowered after a sound test. The intonation was optimized on this basis, whereby great sound benefits were achieved in the total coherence and carrying capacity of the pipework.
The oak case has been repainted in a black color scheme, with the
carving being provided with gold leaf. Work was completed in the fall
of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 measures, the inauguration of the organ
has been postponed; it is expected to be held in the spring of 2021.
>> Disposition
>> Watch the photo gallery of the restauration on the
site of the church
Watch live the new organ Birmingham
Saturday 18 July at 1 pm Flentrop Orgelbouw one can watch in a
YouTube Livestream the new organ for the
Birmingham Conservatory live in the workshop.
Film: Casper Steketee
Compact organ with Schnitger sound
concept
An organ on which the students can play the most authentic Central
European baroque music. In addition, space in the Birmingham
Conservatory is very limited. That is why Flentrop makes a compact
two-manual organ inspired by the work of Arp Schnitger. With an 8-foot
concept instead of a 4-foot, but with the cleverness of Schnitger. For
example, the organ has a twin windchest and the larger registers are in
the front part, the smaller ones and the reeds in the rear. By playing
efficiently with the available space, the organ is compact with a
maximum diversity of colors and characters and yet easily accessible
for tuning and maintenance.
The conservatory organ not only has a twin windchest, but also a "twin
sister" in Dypvag, Norway. Although not identical, the underlying
concept of this in 2019 newly built organ is very similar. Those
interested can already listen to the sound concept on the recently
released CD “Schnitger in Norway” with organist Hans van der Meijden.
Direct interaction with the organ
maker and informative reportages
In the livestream July 18, the Flentrop team tells more about the sound
concept
and the making process of the conservatory organ. Informative films
give a look behind the scenes in the workshop. Think of the making of
the console, the traditional work on the pipes and the delicate work of
the intonator. There are also various music recordings that demonstrate
the sound possibilities of the organ. In the chat, everyone can ask
live questions to learn everything about the construction of an organ
and to see places where you normally cannot go. Make a registration
proposal yourself, take a look in the case where the pipework is
located, discover the beautiful rolling boards, take a look at the wind
supply or hear the difference between engine wind and trailing wind.
The live stream and films are produced by filmmaker Casper Steketee.
Olkusz film
Studio Ars Sonora is making a series of films about historical
organs in Poland. Starting with a film with music and explanation about
the organ in Olkusz. English translation will follow.
Construction project metal pan flute with NMF
The National Musicinstruments Foundation is starting an exciting construction project in collaboration with Flentrop Orgelbouw to perfect the metal pan flute, based on the idea and initiative of pan flutist Matthijs Koene. This first film illustrates the research phase, in which the expertise of intonateurs is particularly important.
Film: National Musicinstruments Foundation
Historical reconstruction
organ Manchester Town Hall
We are delighted to have been commissioned to undertake the
historical reconstruction of the organ in Manchester Town Hall. The
organ was built by the Parisian organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in
1877, enlarged by him in 1893, and then rebuilt by the English firms
Lewis & Co. in 1912 and Jardine & Co. in 1970.
We will be undertaking the work in an equal collaboration with our
friends and esteemed colleagues from the English firm of Nicholson.
The organ will be returned in almost every way to its 1893 condition,
including the re-establishment of the original pitch, the manufacture
of new actions (with three new Barker Lever machines), new console,
chests, and aspects of the wind system, all in a strict replica of the
Cavaillé-Coll style. The casework will be returned to its original 1877
appearance with the recreation of the wooden staircases built into
either side of the facade.
The reconstruction of the organ, the most significant surviving
instrument of the few built in the UK by arguably the world’s finest
organ builder of the nineteenth century, forms part of a much wider Our
Town Hall project to safeguard and repair the whole of the Grade
1-listed building. The organ will be wholly dismantled in the late
spring of 2020, with completion to coincide with the re-opening of
Waterhouse’s much-loved building. The consultant for the work will be
Dr William McVicker.
>> Download specification (PDF)
Image from Flickr, used by kind permission.
Livestream organ marathon Westerkerk
The Duyschot-Vater-Flentrop organ of the Westerkerk in Amsterdam,
built in 1686, has undergone intensive major maintenance in recent
months. Almost all 3800 organ pipes have been removed from the organ,
cleaned and improved if necessary. In addition, the organ has been
technically meticulously checked, so that the age-old instrument can
continue for many years to come.
Now, more than a year later, the organ is back in top condition.
However, the corona crisis makes it impossible to allow the planned
inaugural concert to take place.
That is why Evan Bogerd, the brand-new cantor organist of the
Westerkerk, streamed a pre inauguration concert live via the
Westerkerk's YouTube
channel. An organ marathon with 5 organists followed on 22 April, and a
recital by Evan Bogeder and Jos van der Kooy on 2 May.
>> View Concert organ Westerkerk 18th april
Contract continuo organ USKO
On November 6, 2019, the contract was signed for a new continuo organ
for the Utrecht
Student Choir and Orchestra (USKO).
For the design Flentrop was inspired by instruments from the Berlin
organ building tradition that must have been known to Johan Sebastian
Bach.
"The making of an organ is often seen
as a master test: in the compact design of a organ, all the problems of
a large organ come together. It demands the utmost of the creativity
and skill of the organ maker to stay within the limited space and at
the same time optimize sound, toucher, organ wind behavior and
accessibility for voices and maintenance. ” Erik Winkel,
director Flentrop.
Inauguration Dypvag
The new organ
for Dypvåg has been installed. The inauguration took place on
October
20, 2019; the organ has been received with great praise.
The new organ is built in a North German Baroque style, suitable for
17th- and 18th-century music. The organ is inspired by the Schnitger
organ in Dedesdorf. Due to constructional limitations, the pipework of
both manuals is placed one after the other on one wind chest.
Inauguration organ MC Leeuwarden
On 30 October 2019 the last three registers of the t organ in the Leeuwarden Medical Center were festively inaugurated. Our Dick Koomans was one of the participating organists.
The new organ for the auditorium is suitable both for use during the
services to be held in the hospital and for concerts.
Contract Peterhouse, University of Cambridge
On
18 July 2019, we signed a contract for a new organ at Peterhouse,
University of
Cambridge. The work will be carried out in collaboration between
Flentrop Orgelbouw and Klais
Orgelbau Bonn, who will work with the
existing 18th centruy case and pipework.
Left to right: Ian Wright, Erik Winkel, Philipp Klais
Frits Elshout honorary member RCM
On Wednesday, March 6 2019, former director Frits Elshout was
appointed
Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music in London. Frits received
the membership ceremonially handed over from Prince Charles during the
annual President's Visit to the RCM. The Honorary membership is a crown
on the work of the organ maker, 
who worked at Flentrop since 1971
until
his retirement in 2019.
>> Read more about Honorar membership, Orgelnieuws
>> Read more about the Presidents Visit, RCM
Restauration Scherer-Bünting orgel
The historic Scherer-Bünting organ of the town church in Mölln, Germany, goes on a journey. The organ with one of the oldest pipes in Northern Germany is being restored by Flentrop. Some of the 2,731 pipes date from the early 15th century and are among the oldest in the world. Now the first pipes have been removed. In the spring of 2021 the organ will sound again.
>> Restauration Scherer-Bünting organ,
video ARD (in German)
>>Scherer-Bünting-orgel, newspaper article (in
German)
New study organ Utah
The University of Utah is delighted with the new, custom-made study
organ. The new organ allows students to more accurately practice
technique and articulation.
"Being an all-Steinway school for
piano students, the U will now provide that same superiority for organ
students," Harry Cross, Dean of the Utah Chapter of the American
Guild of Organists.
>> Article: New Flentrop uplifts the organ
program at the School of Music
Inauguration
Olkusz
After a 3-year restoration, the Himmel Nitrowski organ in Olkusz was officially put into use. At the dedication service on 7 October, the church was packed full and people even stood in the aisles. Moreover, not only the bishop, but also the president, the prime minister, former prime minister and a few Polish ministers were present. Polish TV also paid special attention to this special commissioning. In the following days there were several festivities and concerts, with organists as Pieter van Dijk, Martin Rost and Andrzej Szadejko.
>> Item about the commissioning, Polish TV
Time-lapse movie Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music made a special time-lapse movie in which
the building of the new Flentrop organ can be seen beautifully.
Organ RCM on Classic FM
Classic FM made a movie of the new organ in the Royal College of Music on Facebook, that received within a few days more than 120.000 views. David Graham plays Bachs Fantasia in G minor.
>> Watch movie Classic FM on Facebook
Artikel Choir and Organ
In Choir and Organ a praising article about the new RCM organ.
"I am thrilled that the
realisation [of our vision] has gone even beyond our high expectation."
David Graham, Professor in Charge of Organ, RCM.
>> Article: A new Flentrop organ matches its glorious surroundings
Complete organworks of Bach, Pieter van Dijk
Organist Pieter van Dijk will record
all the organ works of Bach in
a few years time. At least half of Bach's oeuvre he wants to play on
'his organ'; the Van Hagerbeer Schnittger organ in Alkmaar, because it
is so very suitable to play Bach. In addition, he will play for the
recordings on, among other things, the Garrels organ in Purmerend, the
Hinsz organ in Bolsward and the Flentrop organ in Hamburg.
Pieter van Dijk's Bachintegrale will count 10 double CDs. Meanwhile 3
parts have been issued. The CDs cost € 25, - each. When registering for
the complete series, they cost € 20 per piece. CD's can be ordered
from DMP Records.
“This promises to be a top
series; make sure you get him in the house. Because with Pieter van
Dijk you will find a well-considered and experienced Bach. That's how
it should be. ”
Inauguration
new organ
Sankt Florian am Inn
Tuesday 15 August was the celebration of the brand new organ in the
Pfarrkirche in Sankt Florian am Inn. It started in the morning at 8.30
with a ceremonial procession in costume, followed by a beautiful Maria
Hemelvaartmis in a fully-occupied church, with a performance of
Mozart's organ mass and a lot of happy people.
Thereafter there were various concerts, guided tours and various
competitions for the children. Erik Winkel and Frits Elshout were
delighted in the jury, among other things for the election of the most
beautiful drawing of the organ and who could best estimate how long the
biggest organ pipe was.
>>
Booklet commissioning (PDF)
Article organ
Sidney Sussex in
Choir & Organ
In Choir & Organ an enthusiastic article about the new Flentrop organ in Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. David Titterington (head of organstudies with the Royal Academy of Music): "Every stop on this organ has a personality and presence, yet they combine cohesively and musically into numberous solo combinations and choruses."
Download
article in Choir & Organ (PDF)
* Published in the May/June 2017 issue of Choir & Organ. Copyright Rhinegold Publishing. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Movies restauration Olkusz
Three movies with information about the restauration of the Hummel-Nitrowsky organ in the Pfarrkirche St. Andreas in Olkusz. You can hear: dr. Krzysztof Urbaniak (in Polish), Erik Winkel (in German) en Prof. Pieter van Dijk (in English).
HRH
the Prince of Wales
visits Royal College of Music
On March 8 during the President's Visit at the occasion of the anual conferring of the honorary awards in the RCM London, the new organ for the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall was presented to HRH the Prince of Wales.
Erik Winkel and Frits Elshout were invited to join the ceremony and since rejoice the opportunity to build an new instrument for this outstanding College even more.
>> Article HRH The Prince of Wales honours outstanding musicians and industry leaders
Recording St. Catharinen Hamburg
Leo van Doeselaar is playing 'Ich ruf zu dir, herr Jesu Christ (BWV 639), in St. Catharines Church in Hamburg. Recording by All of Bach.
>> Also listen Concert in D klein with Leo van Doeselaar
>> Also listen Wachte auf ruft uns die Stimme with Wolfgang Zerer
Demonstration Van Hagerbeer Schnittgerorgan
Pieter van Dijk plays the Van Hagerbeer Schnittgerorgel in Alkmaar.
Restauration Prestant 22"" Alkmaar
In the film you can see the restauration of the biggest frontpipe
Prestant 22", almost 8 metres long. The workers of Flentrop take the
enormous pipe out of the organ, restore it in the church itself and
then replace it with great effort.
Film: Casper Steketee
Demonstration Bätzorgel Round Lutheran Church, Amsterdam
For the first time since the restauration of 2014, Matthias Havinga plays on the Bätzorgel in the Round Lutheran Church, Amsterdam.
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