Dating from around 1400, the oldest playing organ in the world
HISTORY
DETAILED HISTORY MAY BE FOUND HERE
The cathedral-fortress itself, constructed during four periods over a span of 150 years, was completed in 1267.
Organ doors closed
HISTORY
Once thought to date from around 1390, it is now believed that the world's oldest playable organ was constructed during the 1430s. The origins of this instrument are unclear, but it is known that the Freiburg painter Peter Maggenberg decorated the folding doors between 1434 and 1437.
DETAILED HISTORY MAY BE FOUND HERE
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The cathedral-fortress itself, constructed during four periods over a span of 150 years, was completed in 1267.
Organ doors closedWorld's oldest playable organ is assumed to be situated in the Cathedral of Valère above Sion/Sitten in Wallis/Switzerland. Built around 1430, three of its original registers, Superoctave 2', Quint minor 1 ⅔' and Mixture 1' have been preserved originally. With not more than altogether 8 different registers, this gothic organ is suited best for ancient music tuned in d, f or g. for the Flötenuhr (flute clocks / organo mecchanico), wherefor Haydn has written several lovely pieces. Guy Bovet plays N° 2,5,12,11 (all C major), N° 18 and 17 (F major), N° 23 in C major again and N° 27 in G major).
World's oldest playable organ is assumed to be situated in the Cathedral of Valère above Sion/Sitten in Wallis/Switzerland. Built around 1430, three of its original registers, Superoctave 2', Quint minor 1 ⅔' and Mixture 1' have been preserved originally. With not more than altogether 8 different registers, this gothic organ is suited best for ancient music tuned in d, f or g.
DISPOSITION
(10 ranks, 8 stops, 376 pipes)
(10 ranks, 8 stops, 376 pipes)
Manual 45 notes C-c''' short bottom octave
1. Principal 8'
2. Oktav 4'
3. Coppell 4'
4. Oktav 2'
5. Quint Major 2 2/3'
6. Quint Minor 1 1/3'
7. Mixtur II 1'
Pedal 9 notes C-c short bottom octave
8. Subbas II 16'+8'
NOTES
1. C-B wood, placed behind the cabinet, remaining pipes metal placed in façade
2. C-Fis wood, shared with Coppel 4’, G and following independent metal pipes
3. Wood
4. Metal
5. Metal C-F built as 1 1/3’
6. Metal, repeating from 2 2/3’
7. Metal, composition
C-b 1’ + ½’
h-h 1’ + 4/5’
c-c 2’ + 1 3/5’
8. Coupled to manual, plus independent Holzpfeifen stop on own chest
behind the organ case.
