Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2003
New organ
www.orgelbau.ch/ope=114000
III/P/32
Norway, Oslo
Kirche
Phoenix out of the ashes
Eidsvoll is an attractive small town north of Oslo and is, in many respects, a treasure trove of cultural and historical interest. As well as being the home of the oldest stone church built in a cruciform from the 12th Century, Eidsvoll is also the place at which the Norwegian Constitution was drawn up on 17th May 1814. However, historical importance is no guard against catastrophe: On 21st August 2000 this over 800 year old church was severely damaged by fire. Although complete destruction was luckily avoided the organ was so badly damaged that only the casing could be salvaged.
This particularly beautiful gem from 1928 arose like a phoenix from the ashes and now houses a new organ built by our firm. It goes without saying that the sound of the organ was intended to complement the tastefully restored outer appearance, producing an entity of tonal and visual harmony. Our conception of the instrument therefore included two manuals connected to swell boxes and colourful sixteen and eight foot stops. Besides many classical features, the style of the organ leans unmistakably towards the romantic era.
In relation to the «Hauptwerk» (Great), the second manual can either take the role of a choir organ or solo organ. Its couplers to the Great and Swell enable a manual hierarchy typical of the romantic epoch to be achieved. In addition are two 16 ' flue stops in the pedals, two divisions in swell boxes and a sub-coupler III-I, which completes the rich line-up of possibilities.
Through our choice of tonal features for this organ we aimed, with 32 stops, to produce a rich sound colour with warmth and depth fitting to the intimate atmosphere of the church. In order to make the organ as versatile as possible in terms of combining tone colours, the stops are divided between three manuals and pedals. This enables individual ranks to be employed in a multitude of combinations and functions elevating this organ, not least through its wide dynamic range from pianissimo to fortissimo, to a status of artistic quality of the highest class. Such quality complements the inspiration of a skilled interpreter, resulting in achievements of the highest order.
