Organ Works

Walldorf, Ev. Stadtkirche

Renovation and enlargement of the Steinmeyer-Orgel (1967) | III/38 | 2017

The tower of the evangelical (Lutheran) church, visible from afar, dominates its setting in the town of Walldorf (Baden). Architecturally, this neo-gothic hall church with low choir extension remains inside and out very much as it was when built in 1861. The west gallery and organ, however, are modern additions.

The instrument by Steinmeyer (Opus 2172) dates from 1967. Externally, the case, made up of unattractive, rectangular wooden boxes, is laid out in post-1945 Werkprinzip fashion with manual divisions arranged vertically one above the other and with pedal towers on either side. At the top, under the apex of the roof, is the Hauptwerk and beneath it the enclosed Brustwerk. The Pedal, arranged on C and C sharp sides, has separate chests for Gross- and Kleinpedal. The Rückpositiv stands apart at the front of the gallery. The console is built into the lower part of the case. An unusual feature is the Glockenspiel of 36 bronze bells in the Brustwerk division.

Following cleaning and repair, the organ was developed both technically and tonally. Weaknesses of construction were corrected and the musical possibilities of the instrument enlarged without altering the essential style or the original builder’s ideas. As a result, the instrument as a whole has been raised to a higher and more reliable level of performance.

The former unstable wind system was completely overhauled and now delivers a stable supply. The console accessories have been enhanced by the addition of a setter/combination system, although the traditional free combinations are still available. The registration panels in the console were replaced by new ones in the appropriate design. The problem of very tight space in around the Brustwerk was solved by re-positioning of components, resulting in improved access for maintenance.

Various judicious measures were undertaken to improve tonal resources and to widen the repertoire playable. As part of the reconstruction of the Brustwerk, three new stops were added on a separate electric chest: Traversflöte 8, Viola 8 and Schwebung 8. On the same division, the Trompete 4 was transposed down to 8ft pitch with addition of 12 new pipes and a narrow-scaled Engprinzipal replaced the Zimbel. An Offenflöte 8 was added to the Hauptwerk on a cheek. The project was then completed by a careful regulation of pipework.

The church maintains its own organ blog with extensive information on the project:
http://eki-walldorf.de/orgel-blog

Walldorf organ case
Walldorf console
enlarged Swell division
pedal division
Great division

Disposition

I. Rückpositiv C-g3

  1. Grobgedeckt 8’
  2. Weitprinzipal 4’
  3. Rohrflöte 4’
  4. Sesquialtera 2-fach 2 2/3’
  5. Sifflöte 2’
  6. Blockflöte 1’
  7. Scharff 5-fach 1’
  8. Cromorne 8’
    Tremulant

II. Hauptwerk C-g3

  1. Gedacktpommer 16’
  2. Prinzipal 8’
  3. Offenflöte 8’ (neu)
  4. Harfpfeife 8’
  5. Oktave 4’
  6. Spitzflöte 4’
  7. Quinte 2 2/3'
  8. Oktave 2’
  9. Mixtur 6-fach 1 1/3’
  10. Trompete 8’

III. Schwellwerk C-g3

  1. Traversflöte 8' (neu)
  2. Viola 8' (neu)
  3. Metallflöte 8’
  4. Schwebung 8' (neu)
  5. Engprinzipal 4' (neu, vorher Zimbel 4f. 2/3')
  6. Nachthorn 4’
  7. Carillon 3-fach 2 2/3’
  8. Schweizerpfeife 2’
  9. Gemsquinte 1 1/3’
  10. Trompete 8’ (tiefe Oktave neu, vorher Clairon 4')
  11. Hautbois 8’
    Tremulant

Pedal C-f1

  1. Prinzipalbaß 16’
  2. Subbaß 16’
  3. Oktavbaß 8’
  4. Gedecktflöte 8’
  5. Dolkan 4’
  6. Hintersatz 5-fach 2 2/3’
  7. Posaune 16’
  8. Trompete 8’
  9. Clairon 4’

 

Koppeln: I-II, III-II, Sub III-II, III-I, Sub III, Super III, I-P, II-P, III-P


Glockenspiel SW, 36 Töne fs0-f3 repetierend auf dem gesamten Manual


Registercrescendo, 1 freie Kombination, Setzeranlage