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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

>> Watch photos dismantling

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

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Vierdagorgel 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

In the second film we take a look at the workshop of Flentrop during the construction of the metal pan flute.

>> Starting at minute 42 in the film.

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

Orgel Peterhouse College 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

>> More about the organ

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, Eredlidmaatschap RCM 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

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.

>> Order CD

>> Booklet commissioning (PDF)

>> Disposition organ

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)

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.