On March 9th the historic organ of the Grote Kerk in Wijk bij Duurstede has been officially inaugurated after a restoration by our firm. Wim Diepenhorst and Pim Schipper played the instrument in a programm of music of the 16th and 17th century.
For the public the organ appeared to be a unique monument of sound of the age of Scheidt and Sweelinck. This splendid organ of about 1615 was built by Albert Kiespenning, who cooperated with composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. The organ was adapted and restored several times. Our firm restored in 1980 the organ to its condition of the 18th century. Now the temperament of the instrument is also adapted to the orginal historic character. Pitch of A 415 Hz is maintained, but parts of pipework and voicing are adjusted. In meantone temperament specific intervals sound rich and warm, f.e. thirds. After our adaptation the organ is extremely well suited for the performance of early 16th and 17th century organ music. Sweelinck sounds as if reborn!