Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2002

Restoration

Organ built by
Theodor Kuhn, 1914
Windchests
membrane chests
Key action
pneumatic ("Fernwerk" electrical)
Stop action
pneumatic ("Fernwerk" electrial)
Inauguration
24.11.2002
Expert
Rudolf Meyer
Voicing
Rudolf Aebischer


www.orgelbau.ch/ope=801210

Zürich

III/P/50

Switzerland, Zurich
Kath. Kirche St. Anton

© pictures Orgelbau Kuhn AG, Männedorf

Kuhn Organ Builders Ltd, 2002

Restoration

Organ built by
Theodor Kuhn, 1914
Windchests
membrane chests
Key action
pneumatic ("Fernwerk" electrical)
Stop action
pneumatic ("Fernwerk" electrial)
Inauguration
24.11.2002
Expert
Rudolf Meyer
Voicing
Rudolf Aebischer

New enthusiasm for a «Factory organ»

Organs in Romantic style with a pneumatic action were, for some time, dismissed as being mere «factory organs». However, remarkably, in the church of St. Anton, in the middle of Zurich, such an instrument had survived almost unaltered. Restoration work was, however, becoming necessary. The organ, built in 1914 was to be returned to its original state. 16 years of preparation and intense discussion followed until the requirements of the community had been established and the finances secured.

The focal points of the restoration work were the console and the pneumatic action. All 5525 puffers and 2650 membranes required replacement in order to achieve long-term functioning of the instrument. All the pneumatic relays and control valves were dismantled, restored and built back into the instrument. Assembling the elements of the console authentically was, however, not a practical solution in view of future servicing requirements. With the approval of the cantonal committee for the preservation of ancient monuments, certain parts of the registration controls were built into the organ. As a result, now all devices connected with the pneumatic action are easily accessible for service purposes.

The zinc pipes in the façade also required particular attention. The 16' pipes had been constructed through the soldering together of a number of separate sections. Many of these joins had developed cracks. Also many of the tips, made of soft tin, had caved in under the weight and needed replacing on all sounding pipes in the façade.

A special feature of this restored Theodor Kuhn organ is the newly built «Fernwerk». This had been planned when the organ was first built in 1914, evidence for this being four stop switches on the original console. The position of the «Fernwerk», under the archway behind the main alter, results in an ideal radiation of sound.