Arp Schnitger

Arp Schnitger (born 1648-07-02 in Schmalenfleth, buried 1719-07-28) was a highly influential German master organ builder. He was primarily active in Northern Europe, especially the Netherlands and Germany, where a number of his instruments survive to the present day.

Notable examples still in use include the organ at St. Pancratius Church, Neuenfelde, Hamburg [http://www.schnitgerorgel.de/html/empty.html] , originally completed in 1688, his largest two-manual instrument. Organs like this are credited with inspiring the renaissance in organ building during the mid to late 20th Century, with a return to mechanical (tracker) action built on the Werk Principle, and smaller instruments, as distinct from the Victorian trend in symphonic organs.

A unique feature of the larger Schnitger instruments was the placement of the ranks in a manner that produced the aural effect of stereophonic sound. The outstanding example of this design is the organ of St. Michael's Church in the Dutch town Zwolle, this instrument having been featured in a number of recordings by organist E. Power Biggs.

Examples of his work

References

* cite book
author = Peggy Kelley Reinburg
title = Arp Schnitger, organ builder; catalyst for the centuries
publisher = Indiana University Press
location = Bloomington
year = 1982
id = ISBN 0-253-30927-1

ee also

*Pipe organ
*Johann Sebastian Bach
*Dieterich Buxtehude
*North German Organ School

External links

* [http://www.arpschnitger.nl Organs of Arp Schnitger]
* [http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=789972&page=&vc=1&PHPSESSID=#Post789972 "Arp Schnitger, Organ Builder – Organ Itinerary." In "Google Earth Community".]