Organ Works

COMPLETION PLANNED FOR 2025

The Lutheran town church in Lörrach was rebuilt in 1817, retaining the medieval tower. The classical hall church with a flat ceiling and surrounding gallery is characterized by its clear and sober design. In the same year, Johann Ferdinand Balthasar Stieffell from Rastatt installed a new organ with early neo-Gothic ornaments in the front of the case. In 1882 Eberhard Friedrich Walcker (op. 417) built a new organ in the Stiefell case which has been preserved to this day.

In 1965, the Wagner company (Grötzingen) built a new organ in the existing case using historic pipe material by Stiefell and Walcker. This instrument underwent a rebuild in 1989 by the Vier company (Friesenheim), during which, among other things, the positioning of the organ and its internal layout were changed.

As part of the planned renovation of the church, the organ is to be fundamentally overhauled by us and technical and tonal weaknesses are to be corrected. For this we will completely dismantle the organ. After the renovation of both church and organ, the instrument will no longer be placed above the pulpit, but on the rear gallery, where more space is available. In doing so, some disadvantageous changes from 1989 are to be reversed. For example, the lower part of the case will be removed, so that it regains some distance from the ceiling. The previously cramped situation inside the organ is to be alleviated by moving the large pedal pipes outside the case. The blower and feeder bellows will also be relocated to improve accessibility. The swell box, which was too cramped, is being rebuilt with larger dimensions and more effective insulating properties. The rear case panels are to be renewed. Overall, the organ will have more space at the rear to the church wall.

In addition to the necessary renovation work on the pipework, case, windchests, trackers and console, including electronics and lighting, the wind system requires a comprehensive overhaul, during which the pressures will be stabilized and some components (e.g. the blower) replaced. Sunken pipe feet will be straightened.

Intensive re-voicing will bring out the tonal strengths of the organ even better. The reed voices in particular will benefit from this. The former Scharf stop in the Schwellwerk is to be replaced by a musically more useful Gemshorn 4'. The hitherto strongly unequal temperament will be toned down in favour of broader usability.