Restoration of organs
Marcussen & Søn have been entrusted with significant restoration projects in both Denmark and abroad, among other places at the St. Bavo Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk in Holland. In Denmark we have done restorations and reconstructions of important historical pipe organs in a.o. Roskilde Cathedral, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, The Clausholm Castle Chapel, Sct. Mariæ Church in Elsinore, and several preserved Marcussen-organs from the 19th century. Among those the oldest organ of the firm; In 1820 installed in Sieseby Church, Germany, and in 1986 relocated to Haderslev Cathedral, Denmark, as well as the Frederiksborg Palace Chapel’s Marcussen-organ from 1864. Recently the Marcussen & Reuter organ at the Christiansborg Palace Chapel has been restored and partly reconstructed. Marcussen & Reuter is a predecessor to the Marcussen & Søn of today.The restoration process – preliminary examination
Pipe organs which have been preserved through centuries, are rarely found entirely in their original state. Usually they will have undergone several repairs and alterations, and in some cases only the organ façade and parts of the pipework have been preserved. When restoring a rebuilt organ, which in time constitutes an independent picture of other periods, and thus is considered historically valuable, the organ will not be restored to its original state, as irreplaceable material would then be lost.
When restoring organs partly in their original state, the originally used construction method is copied along with the original choice of material, if organ parts need to be restored or replaced. At the same time, repairing pipe material and performing tonal adjustment is done with consideration of the existing tonal aesthetics.
SEE EXAMPLES OF RESTAURATIONS
In Denmark, we have carried out restorations and reconstructions of significant historical pipe organs in, among others in Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Through our long experience, we ensure that we restore or maintain with understanding and respect for the time in which the individual organ is built.
Restoring and reconstruction of pipes
When renovating the pipework, the following tasks will often be included: Straightening of metal pipes, repair of defect soldering, repair of wooden pipes attacked by wood-worms etc., and if necessary; reestablishing of original pipe lengths, tuning devices, etc.. In case it is necessary to reconstruct single pipes or complete pipe ranks, it will be carried out looking to historical examples. Equipment for manufacturing hammered metal sheets and tapered thickness is at disposal in our workshop. The tonal finishing of the historical pipe material includes adjustment of voicing and tuning, in order to preserve or recreate the timbre and pitch of the organ.
Repair of keyboards and wind chests
The craftsman tasks vary accordingly to the condition of the organ, but typically the following elements will be included:
– Repair of keyboards, key and stop action, using historical correct constructions and materials. Possibly reconstruction of the entire console on the basis of knowledge of the original compass, measures, coupling mechanism, shape of stop knops etc..
– Repair of the wind chests of different construction types as slider, cone or spring chest, especially with regards to wind tightness. Likewise using historically correct methods and materials, and also taking into account a reliable and stable mechanical function. Pipe boards or other may have to be changed in order to reestablish the original specification.
– Repair of wind supply system, with possible reconstruction of bellows and arrangement for calcant. Repair of casework and ornaments, and possibly reestablishment of later changes or additions.