Organ Festival in Germany!
Two organ concerts in Germany with Leendert Verduijn and Gert van Hoef
The organ, the king among instruments. A very versatile instrument, however, less and less appreciated. The Flevoland Cultural Musical Activities Foundation was born out of a passion and love for the organ as an instrument. As a foundation, we want to introduce the public to the versatility of this magnificent instrument. Traditionally, it has been strongly intertwined with church services and accompanying the singing together. But more is possible with the organ, respecting the building it was built in. This is something we as a foundation would like to promote and have heard.
That is why we as a foundation organize organ concerts throughout the country. To promote the organ as an instrument. The Netherlands is a country with the highest density in terms of historic organs. We must protect this piece of culture, otherwise we will lose this rich organ history as the Netherlands. These historic organs are often found in church buildings. Many churches in the Netherlands are currently closing their doors. When reconsidering the use of a church building, often only the exterior is protected and the surface of the building is what makes it attractive to developers. As a result, many organs are disappearing. Unknown makes unloved. By organizing concerts, the foundation aims to promote the organ as a versatile instrument in the hope that church buildings, when closed, will be given a function in which the organ will also have a role / retain its role. If we want to preserve the organ in the Netherlands as a versatile instrument and the culture associated with it, it must also be profitable for the players. High-quality players are needed to promote the organ in all its facets. Therefore, as a foundation, we also started thinking about how we can contribute to this.
In early 2022, the idea arose to take a look at opportunities to organize a concert in Germany. With this we want to promote Dutch organists abroad and contribute to the goal that we pursue as a foundation. After some searching, we ended up with the Reinoldikirche in Dortmund and the Salvatorkirche in Duisburg. In these 2 churches are two fantastic organs. It would be great if we could promote Dutch organists through these concerts.
Two organists
So, as a foundation, we want to show/hear the versatility of the organ to the public. That is why we chose to travel with 2 organists. We have chosen 2 organists whose repertoire and playing style differ from each other. As an additional addition, the 2 church organists associated with the instrument will also participate in the concerts. Precisely because of this, the visitor gets to hear 3x a different side of the same organ! As organizers, we asked Gert van Hoef and Leendert Verduijn to join us for this trip. Both organists were immediately enthusiastic about the concept.
Gert van Hoef is an organist who is very well known on Youtube with more than 100,000 followers. Leendert Verduijn recently graduated and won no less than four awards in just 10 weeks in 2022. Both organists have both won several awards and have made their mark. So it promises to be 2 great concerts on 2 fantastic organs.
The journey
The two concerts are scheduled for Oct. 20/21, 2023. (during fall break).
There is no bus fare included in the ticket price. Participants may travel to Dortmund via their own transportation. The organization deliberately chose this so that everyone is free to choose how to travel to Dortmund. This also allows you as a participant to be free in your movement during the day.
The price for this organ party will be around 175 euros approx. This is incl overnight stay with breakfast and admission to both concerts for 1 person. (240 euros for 2 people with 1 night in 1 hotel room incl breakfast and admission to both concerts). The final touches are currently being added. Once everything is finalized, ticket sales will also start through the foundation’s website.
The overnight stay is arranged less than a 5-minute walk from the Reinoldikirche. Distance from the central station is 1 minute walk, so it’s also great to do by train! So you walk straight from the hotel into the center of Dortmund. A beautiful city to explore on foot. Therefore, no excursions are scheduled during the day. This leaves everyone free to fill in his/her own day during the day.
Concert Location #1:
Salvatorkirche (Duisburg)
Date: Friday evening, Oct. 20
Timeitp: 20:00
Location: Salvatorkirche in Duisburg
Organ: Kuhn organ(Disposition)
The 1st concert will take place on Friday evening, Oct. 20, 2023, at the Salvatorkirche in Duisburg. The organ is built like a butterfly. To this day, the church is the town’s landmark due to its blackened spire. The Gothic church was built in the 14th century and is famous for its large painted windows. In front of the window with the revelations of John, the organ is positioned. People built the organ without hiding a window. The colorfulness of the window is thus underscored by the cool hue of the organ, which rests like a butterfly between the heavy tower pillars.
Sound of the organ
With its 41 stops, the organ in Duisburg is not architecturally a giant organ. But the main work on 16 ‘ impresses with its only 10 stops as a “big” work. And the solo on 8′ low has the complete main construction and the stature of a positive. The distribution of voices among the 4 works makes for an extraordinary variety of combinations and a grandiose sound. In addition, swell represents all the elements necessary for echo effects, solo inserts or the formation of an 8’ chorus. The pedal with 16 ‘ forms the flanking towers of the prospectus and has all the qualities that give hold. Both classical and romantic soundscapes benefit from the varied equilage along with the two 16′ and 4’ couplers.
Concert Location #2:
Reinoldikirche (Dortmund)
Date: Saturday evening, Oct. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Reinoldikirche in Dortmund
Organ: Muhleisen Orgel(Dispostion)
The 2nd concert will take place on Oct. 21, 2023 at the Reinoldikirche in Dortmund. The 1909 Walcker organ, destroyed in 1944, with 107 stops on five manuals, inspired the current organ. After intense deliberation, it was decided to exchange the Walcker organ for a technically, musically and spatially new concept. The new main organ has four manuals, three of which have mechanical action. In addition, several rows are equipped with single-color valves in swell, solo and pedal, greatly increasing the possibilities of using these stops.
Sound of the organ
The disposition has 54 stops; in addition, there are 17 extensions and 5 transmissions. Some 30 stops from the previous organ were included in the current organ.
During intonation work on the main work, the affectionate nickname “Trudi” arose for the chest work. This resulted eventually in 2 names for the 2 organs: the choir organ is called “Claire,” while the main organ is called “Isolde.” Although Claire and Isolde were designed as complete independently usable instruments, they blend seamlessly when combined. This is more pleasing because the room acoustics of the Reinoldi proved much more challenging than one might initially think.
The Principal 8′ of the main work carries such liveliness that one can hear its “crackle” through all the basic voices full of character, while the Principal 8 ́ of the positive seems calmer and “older.”
Registered in a certain way, Isolde can almost sound like an old organ: the large, relaxed main work plenum with the Chamade as cantus firmus in the pedal reminds us of the grandeur of old French instruments.
Despite these historically oriented associations, Claire and Isolde are clearly modern organs with a wide range of dynamic and timbrally differentiated voices, accessible in various ways through today’s modern electronics. Claire and Isolde are a contribution by the Werkstätte Mühleisen to the eternal discussion of how a modern, universally applicable organ can be integrated aesthetically and characteristically into a beautiful church building.
Overnight location:
If you book your overnight stay through us then you choose to stay at the NH Dortmund Hotel. You will stay in a single or double suite incl breakfast. Rooms are spacious and modern with free WIFI.
The NH Dortmund is located in the city center and within walking distance of stores, restaurants and the main train station. There is also quick public transportation to the Signal Iduna park, home of the Borussia Dortmund soccer team.
- Located in the center of Dortmund
- stores and restaurants in front of the door
- The Borussia Dortmund stadium is easy to reach
Register
Would you like to join us? Then sign up quickly through our ticket shop:
https://scmaf.nl/evenement/concertreis-naar-duitsland-met-gert-van-hoef-en-leendert-verduijn/
The information on this page is updated regularly. Last update: 07-04-2023