Organ Works

Wien, Universitätskirche

Orgelneubau | III/42 | 2004 | Opus 983

During the planning phase for this instrument we undertook a study trip to the Cavaillé-Coll organ in the church of St-Francois-de-Sale in Lyons. We played and inspected the instrument intensively. In the design of the console we were concerned to incorporate the typical playing aids of the Cavaillé-Coll console, so that the Organ City of Vienna would have available such special features for practice purposes. Details such as action, windchests and wind system were also copied. A new type of stop action was devised with ventil pedals for the jeux de fonds and jeu de combinaison. In addition a new setter system was included to meet the demands of modern concert performance.

This is a huge instrument, over 12 metres tall, yet such dimensions are scarcely appreciated given the enormous size of the church. The organ has two more special features. The two pedal towers are turned inwards by 8 degree, so that, from the ideal viewpoint at the far end of the church, only the facade and not the side walls are visible and the passage of light around the organ is also optimised. In addition, a large part of the sides of the pedal and Hauptwerk towers are covered in mirrors, so that, from the side, the case appears disembodied in a sort of barock illusion.

After 18 months of planning and construction during 2003/4, the organ was delivered, erected and voiced at the beginning of 2004.

This was, for Austria, a highly unusual project, financed from state funds as part of the general renovation of the 17th-century Jesuit church (Old University Church) and presented to the public under the auspices of an international organ festival.

In selecting a French Romantic organ from all the possible styles, the musical and cultural life of the city has been enriched through the acquisition of an instrument on which organ music can be heard as never before in Vienna.
 

Disposition

I. Grande Orgue C-g3

  1. Montre 16'
  2. Montre 8'
  3. Bourdon 8'
  4. Violoncelle 8'
  5. Flute harmonique 8'
  6. Prestant 4'
  7. Doublette 2' *
  8. Fourniture V 2' *
  9. Cornet V (g) 8' *
  10. Bombarde 16' *
  11. Trompette 8' *

II. Positif C-g3

  1. Diapason 8'
  2. Cor de Nuit 8'
  3. Salicional 8'
  4. Unda maris (c) 8'
  5. Prestant 4'
  6. Flute douce 4'
  7. Nazard 2 2/3' *
  8. Quarte de Nazard 2' *
  9. Tierce 1 3/5' *
  10. Plein jeu IV 1 1/3' *
  11. Clarinette 8' *

III. Recit expressif C-g3

  1. Bourdon doux 16'
  2. Bourdon 8'
  3. Viole de Gambe 8'
  4. Flute traversiere 8'
  5. Voix celeste (c) 8'
  6. Flute octaviante 4'
  7. Octavin 2' *
  8. Carillon III 2 2/3' *
  9. Trompette harm. 8' *
  10. Basson Hautbois 8'
  11. Voix humaine 8'
  12. Clairon harm 4' *
    Tremblant

Pedal C-f1

  1. Basse acoustique 32'
  2. Contrebasse 16'
  3. Soubasse 16'
  4. Flute 8'
  5. Bombarde 16' *
  6. Trompette 8' *
  7. Clairon 4' *

* = Jeux de combinaison

Koppeln und Spielhilfen als Fußtritte:
G.0. / Ped., Pos./Ped.; Rec./Ped.;
Combinaison Ped., Combinaison G.O., Combinaison Pos., Combinaison Rec
Pos./G.O., Rec./G.O., Rec./Pos., Octaves graves Rec.