Veltheim

I/5

Switzerland, Argovia
Ref. Kirche

Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2005

Relocation

Organ built by: Alexander Schuke Potsdam, 1936
Windchests: slider chests
Key action: mechanical
Stop action: mechanical

The chancel organ in the church in Veltheim AG

This chancel organ is not very old but in the history of music it is nevertheless an important instrument: it is the former chamber organ of Margrit Jaenike (1896-1980). The musician from Zurich received her training as a pianist with Walter Frey in Zurich and with Edwin Fischer in Berlin; she studied music theory and composition with Hans Lavater.

Margrit Jaenike paved the way for the rediscovery of «ancient music» and its «historically informed performance». The ensemble «Arte antica», which she founded in 1938 and also conducted, performed in its concerts numerous works by Purcell and Hassler which were then unknown. But Jaenike's main concern was Pergolesi (1710-1736). Within ten years almost every important work by this composer was being performed from manuscript. In 1959 Jaenike also organised a public «Pergolesi Festival» in Zurich. Furthermore in 1956 she founded a society called «Via» to assist young musicians.

In connection with the historically informed performance she procured a positive. It was built in 1936 by the brothers Karl and Hans-Joachim Schuke in Potsdam, who had started building slider chests again against the explicit wish of their father. Of the three instruments belonging to this series (op. 152 for Jaenike in Zurich, op. 157 for Hirschberg / Silesia, op. 168 for Berlin-Schmargendorf), only Jaenike's organ survived. It was used in many concerts as solo organ and continuo instrument. In 1981 it was taken over from the estate of Jaenike by Kuhn Organ Builders and was utilised as interim instrument on various occasions. After careful restoration, this positive with such a remarkable history now acquired a new function as chancel organ in the church in Veltheim.

Friedrich Jakob, 2006

Translation 2008: RS