Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2021
New organ
www.orgelbau.ch/ope=114750
II/P/17
Germany, Baden-Wurttemberg
Münster
A new chancel organ for Ulm Minster
The foundation stone of Ulm Minster was laid in the 14th century. The minster has a turbulent history, including vis-à-vis the queen of instruments. Especially, the Walcker company is to be mentioned for building two of the biggest works in its history: 1856 with 100 stops a fabulous number in those days! , and 1969 once more 100 stops but under different esthetical circumstances. The first of these two organs aroused the admiration of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, who soon after reached the magic number of 100 himself, in Saint-Sulpice, Paris.
In 1960 a 20 stop two-manual organ was produced by Rieger for the generous-sized chancel. Having rendered many years of service, this organ would have had to undergo an extensive overhaul. It was therefore decided to build a new organ, and a call for tenders led to Kuhn Organ Builders being awarded the contract. The intention is for the new organ to be equally suited to the role of soloist and to playing as accompanist, and its main emphasis is to be on French music of the romantic era.
Cooperating closely with the project leaders, a concept for a specification with 17 speaking stops, three transmissions and an extension was elaborated. Corresponding to the style model, a powerful great organ (Grand Orgue) and an expressive and poetic swell organ (Récit) are foreseen. Similarly, the specification shows a large number of stops in the 8 ' range, whereby characteristic stops such as the Basson-Hautbois 8 ' or the Voix Céleste 8 ' of course cannot be lacking. However, the specification also facilitates an adequate presentation of literature before the 19th century, for example with diapasons 8 ', 4 ' and 2 ' pitch including a mixture in the Grand Orgue.
The organ's key action is mechanical and connected to traditional slider windchests, the stop action is electric. The new chancel organ will be mounted in the same place as before, but, due to the style to be emphasised, no longer has a Rückpositiv. The design of the case reflects the spirit of the wonderful Gothic architecture of the Minster, ever striving upwards, and fits unobtrusively into the splendid chancel.
Michael Meyer
10/2020, Translation RS
