The second organ tour for our members last night also drew a lot of interest! 

After an introduction to the history and unique features of the Walcker organ, Ralf Stiewe, the full-time organist and regional church musician, began by explaining the mobile console and how the instrument works.

To showcase the 99 stops in total—from the Main and Swell divisions, as well as the Remote division, which has been repurposed as a choir organ—Stiewe played a variety of pieces that allowed visitors to hear the instrument’s timbres and capabilities. This provided a firsthand experience of the versatility of the largest surviving concert hall organ in Germany, built in 1927.

A special highlight was the chance to look behind the scenes: The group was allowed to step onto the two-story organ platform and experience the organ from a perspective usually reserved for only a select few. Amid the rows of pipes, windchests, and mechanical components, the sheer scale of this monumental instrument quickly became apparent.

Many thanks to all the participants for their great interest, and to Ralf Stiewe for the informative and entertaining tour, as well as for the opportunity to try out the organ ourselves. 

If you and your group would also like to take part in an organ tour, please contact Ralf Stiewe at r.stiewe@bistum-os.de or become a member of our Friends Association to enjoy the member benefit of an exclusive organ tour and to stay informed about upcoming concerts and events at all times.

Click here for the digital organ tour. Feel free to check it out!

Text and photos: Anna Siebert, Photos: Barbara Köster