Hesperion

Follow-up: I ran into Mr. Fritts the other day and asked about the Aa Kerk transept organ. He said it was in discussions and the deal was still on, the obstacle being the funding. So if any of you wants to underwrite this venture I am sure it would be appreciated. Just wanted to update us on this exciting possibility.

Thank you all so much for the further input. If I get chance to discuss the Aa Kerk matter with Mr. Fritts I will certainly report anything he will allow in the way of confirmations and updates. BTW, is there a thread related to that transept organ on the board?

I just knew you guys would come up with some stuff. john carter, have you a link to that post? Thanks so much.

Thank you for your reply. I will see what I can find out. Yes, we are blessed with close proximity to Mr. Fritts. I visited his shop recently and it is a model of neatness and efficiency. I would love to work with him someday. On the subject of Herman Raphaelis' organs. Of course the remains of his work at Roskilde is well enough known. Also, as you have mentioned, the empty cases at de Aa Kerk usually comes up. I have stumbled upon one of his other creatures located in the Queen's chapel in the castle at Sonderborg, Denmark from 1557. I have created a thread about this builder beginning with this instrument. I would be interested in what other members might uncover. http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion/in...?showtopic=2299

In addition to what remains of his work in the organ at Roskilde Cathedral and the "empty" cases in the transept of de Aa Kerk in Groningen I find a wonderful instrument in Denmark. After the death of her husband, King Christian III of Denmark in 1559, Queen Dorothea moved her Court to the castle at Sonderborg (position 54 55N 9 49E). It appears that the Raphaelis organ located there has been reconstructed to allign more with his workmanship in favor of a later rework in around 1696. It is a very unusual organ in several ways. One striking thing is the stop action for the upperwork. They seem to consist of direct linkages to the sliders that are acuated by means of long extended handles that hang from the "impost" of the case sides. One would have to stand and lean way out to swing these levers or have an assistant to make registration changes in that division. The lower positif has the usual draw knobs. The next thing that might be mentioned is the pitch of the organ at a fourth higher than standard: temperament: meantone. Stemmetonehøjde: a' = 624 hz. v/ 18° C. !! Here is the spec.: Sønderborg Slotskapel The Chapel of Sønderborg Castle Mads Kjersgaard 1996 Rekonstruktion af renæssanceorglets tilstand 1626 Reconstruction of the organ's state in 1626 Orgelhus / organ case: Hermann Raphaëlis (?) o. 1570 14 / II Oberwerck PRINCIPAL 6' GROB GEDACT 6' QVERPFEIFE DISCANT 6' OCTAVA 3' NACHTHORN 3' SUPER OCTAVA 11/2' SEDECIMA 3/4' MIXTUR TROMPET 6' TREMULANT* Positiv OCTAV FLÖITE 3' SUPER OCTAV FLÖITE 1 1/2' QVINT FLÖITE 1' ZIMBEL REGAL 6' TREMULANT* *) Fælles / common tremulant. OW: Manualomfang / manual compass F, G, A-g'', a''. Pos: Manualomfang / manual compass C, D, E, F, G, A-g'', a'' Pos: Subsemitoner / split keys: ds/es, ds'/es', ds''/es''. Manualkoppel / manual coupler. Mekanisk traktur og registratur / mechanical action. Sløjfevindlader / slider chests. 2 kilebælge / 2 wedge-shaped bellows. I hope other member will add insights on this builder and other information they might find as well as additional examples of his work.

Thank you gentlemen, for this discussion. Bazuin, if I am ask, in what publication did you see that mention of Mr. Fritts in connection with the Raphaelis organ in the Aa Kerk? You are right, it would be exciting news indeed.