Orgelbau Th. Kuhn AG, 1993
New organ
www.orgelbau.ch/ope=113540
III/P/41
Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia
Kath. Kirche St. Kunibert
The location
St. Kunibert is the largest of the twelve Romanesque churches of Köln. In the Second World War it was badly damaged, particularly the west end, which was largely destroyed. The accurate reconstruction work to the impressive «west wing» lasted until 1993. For the most effective radiance of sound within the room the organ would have ideally been located on a gallery on the west wall. However this was not possible for both architectural/historical and political reasons, as the construction of such a gallery would detract from the imposing effect of the west wall which had been reconstructed at considerable expense. Therefore, another location for the organ had to be found. We found this in the two last aisle arcades on the south side. Admittedly, on entering the church through the north portal in the side wall one stands rather abruptly in front of the large instrument. On entering through the main portal in the west wall the organ is, however, not in view at first, as only the Positiv, small in comparison, extends out beyond the arcades. The view along the aisle and the side nave remains free and open. Not until one proceeds further does the organ gradually come into view. Incidentally, the late medieval swallow's nest organ stood at the same location, but was raised up on the wall above the aisle.
The tonal design
In agreement with those commissioning the project, a tonal design was achieved which resembled that of the French Romantic-symphonic style, but without being modelled on a specific Cavaillé-Coll organ. Consequently, the stop labels on the console use the French terms.
Whereas most of the newer organs in the region of Köln appear to have been influenced by the «Organ Movement», here a different tonal picture was intentionally sought. Through this, the diversity of the organs of Köln was enriched by a style not previously represented. The emphasis in the treble range of the organ is not only achieved by appropriate scaling and voicing, but also through separate and differentiated wind supplies to the bass and treble.
Translation 2008: SJR