The remake of the organ in Liebfrauen
Koblenz Germany

In September 2002 we were asked to offer a complete cleaning and several changes of the organ of the Liebfrauenkirche.

After several visits in Koblenz and many discussions with the regional cantor Mr. Manfred Faig, we supposed to change the organ more than planned at the first sight. It was clear that the intention - a significant better tonation - should only be achieved by changing the building of the organ.

Here you can read some notes of our offer dated January 2003:

„To give more character and volume for the total intonation to the sounds of the organ, we have to exploit the space of the organ. There is no possibility to change the measurement of the organ, so we have to re-arrange the work. The flutes need free space for intonation and the wind must have the possibility to flow directly to the flutes; then we have the chance to change the disposition and tonation.“

In a few words we made the following changes:

- separation of the great organ as well as the pedal to C and Cs side in both outer towers
- relocation of the principal bass 16‘ into the inner organ, separation in C and Cs side.
- We changed the use of 4 registers by using „Wechselschleifen“ and got more inner speed.
- Lowering of the swell manual to get more space inside the organ
- we constructed new registers to get a better sound in the church
- we widened the intonation by installation of new octave couplers for the manual and the peda
- we rebuilt the whole wind supply
- we enlarged the pressure in the whole work
- new intonation of the whole organ

Disposition of the organ after all the changes

Pedal C – f’’	Hauptwerk C – g’’’
Prinzipalbaß 16’	Prinzipal 8’
Subbaß 16’	Harmonieflöte 8’
Quinte 10 2/3’	Gedackt 8’ (aus SW) *
Octavbaß 8’	Octave 4’  (zum Teil aus Choralb.)*
Hintersatz 4 fach	Rohrflöte 4’
Posaune 16’	Quinte 2 2/3’
	Superoctave 2’
	Terz 1 3/5’      neu
	Mixtur 4 fach (aus groß u. klein M.)
	Bombarde 16’ neu  *
	Trompete 8’    neu  *
The marked * register are as well playable with pedal.
Schwellwerk C – g’’’
	Rückpositiv C – g’’’
Flöte 8’                neu
Gemshorn 8’	Bourdon 8’
Schwebung 8’	Blockflöte 4’
Prinzipal 4’	Flachflöte 2’
Flöte 4’	Quinte 1 1/3’
Nasard 2 2/3’	Sesquialter 2 fach
Octave 2’	Zimbel 3 fach
Terz 1 3/5’	Krummhorn 8’
Sifflöte 1’
Scharf 4 fach	Tremulant
Trompete 8’ (aus HW)
Hautbois 8’         neu
Tromp. harm 4’
Tremulant

Koppeln:
III 16’,  III 4’,  III 16’-II,  III 4’-II,  III – II,  III – I,   II 16’,  II 4’,  I – II,
I 16’ – II,  I 4’ – II,  Ped 4’,  I – Ped,   II – Ped,   III – Ped,  Ped – II,

mechanical I – Ped, II – Ped, III – Ped,
all other couplers electrical

 

Setzerfunktionen

• 32 Speicherebenen 1 – 32
• 8 Gruppen A – H
• 9 Kombinationen 1 – 9
• 2 Schlüsselschalter für 2 zusätzliche Blöcke
• 8 Codezahlen für 8 zusätzliche Blöcke      = zusammen 55.296 Kombinationen

 

The intonation can be expanded by fitting of tone magnets for the coupler. These couplers had been installed for example inside a work. The main and the swell work had been added by sub and super coupler. We fitted the pedal work with a new super coupler and upgraded the tonation. This coupler offers many possibilities without losings of tonation and sound.

In addition, you can play the organ by playing a keyboarrd in the sanctuary; we added a midi-gateway. You will find as well a key holder and a memory stick.

On Sunday 30. Sept. 2007 the organ of Liebfrauen has been inaugurated with a festival service. Mr. Manfred Faig presented the organ with its new complete tonation during a concert.