Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2024
Relocation
www.orgelbau.ch/ope=114910
II/P/24
Switzerland, Berne
Französische Kirche
German Romantic cone chest organ from 1889 finds a new home
In 1889, Carl Theodor Kuhn built an organ with 24 stops in the reformed church in Zurich-Unterstrass, which is entirely in the tradition of the company founder Johann Nepomuk Kuhn.
The instrument was moved to the church of St-Sigismond in Saint-Maurice in Valais in 1911, where it remained in service until 2000. In the course of building a new organ in St-Sigismond, Orgelbau Kuhn was able to take the instrument back and store it. In 2005-2006, the instrument was restored in a first stage. The pipework and organ technology were restored to their original condition. In the second stage in 2016, the reconstruction of the neo-Gothic case, including the carving, as well as the swell case of the second manual was realised - in connection with the KunstKlangKirche project. Unfortunately, the project in Zurich Wollishofen ended in 2018.
The task now was to find a new home for this historic instrument. We were delighted when the French Church in Bern expressed an interest in using the organ as a stage or choir organ. In its new function, it will accompany choirs and orchestras, operate in dialogue with the Goll organ and be used as a teaching instrument for the Bern University of the Arts (HKB).
We are delighted that, after a long period of travelling, a worthy location has now been found where the historic cone chest organ can show ist full potential and be used regularly.